Vilbel Castle (Ruin)

The origins of Vilbel Castle date back to the 12th or 13th century, when it was built as a moated castle on the Nidda River, possibly on the foundations of an older motte-and-bailey castle. In 1399, the castle suffered its first destruction after its lord, Bechtram V. von Vilbel, was besieged and executed by Counts Ulrich V. von Hanau and Philipp von Falkenstein due to his raids. A renovation took place around 1420. In 1503, the complex passed to the Eppsteins. Between 1590 and 1803, the castle served as a Mainz administrative seat and was reinforced and renovated again in the 16th and 18th centuries. Its final destruction occurred in 1796 by French troops under General Jean-Baptiste Kléber, after which it remained a ruin.