Homburg Castle

The first documented mention of Homburg dates back to 1276. Gottfried I von Sayn, from the House of Sponheim, placed his castle under the protection of King Rudolf of Habsburg and received it back as a hereditary fief. For centuries, the castle served as the residence of the Counts of the Imperial Lordship of Homburg until it was integrated into the Grand Duchy of Berg after 1806. Count Ernst von Sayn-Wittgenstein shaped its current appearance through extensive renovations starting in 1635. After a period of decay from the 18th century, this was only halted in 1904. Since 1926, the castle has housed the current Museum of the Oberbergisches Kreis. Archaeological finds from 1999, including a residential tower from the 11th century, prove even older settlement.