Sommerau Castle (Ruin)

The origins of the Sommerau Ruin date back to the 13th century, when it was built by the Trier knightly family “von der Brücke”. The first documented mention occurred in 1303, when Johann Walram, a descendant of this family, enfeoffed the castle to the Archbishop of Trier. Later, the complex passed to the Luxembourg knightly family “von der Fels”. Around 1440, Margaretha von der Fels divided the property, with one half going to her husband Dame von Werde and the other presumably to her brother Georg von der Fels. In 1541, Georg and Arnold von der Fels were jointly enfeoffed with the manor. The castle was plundered and damaged by Luxembourg soldiers in 1575, leading to lengthy negotiations for reparations.