Breidenstein Castle

The origins of the complex trace back to the Lords of Breidenbach, first documented in 1213. This family, who held dominion over Breidenstein and Breidenbach, attempted to establish an independent rule in the late 13th century during conflicts between Electoral Mainz and the Landgraviate of Hesse. To secure their interests, they erected castles in Breidenstein, Breidenbach, and near Rossebach. In 1304, the Lords of Breidenbach became Hessian castellans at Biedenkopf Castle. Breidenstein Castle itself was built between 1387 and 1394, following a failed earlier castle construction attempt near Eisenhausen. As early as 1395, the Breidenbach family transferred the castle to Landgrave Hermann II of Hesse and received it back as a Hessian fief.