Meerholz Castle

The origins of Meerholz Castle date back to the 12th century, when a Premonstratensian convent existed on this site. After the Reformation, the convent came into the possession of the Counts of Ysenburg-Büdingen. They had the current castle built between 1555 and 1564. The construction met with resistance from the city of Gelnhausen, which invoked an imperial privilege prohibiting the construction of castles or palaces within a one-hour radius. However, this protest remained ineffective. The castle later served as the residence of the Isenburg-Meerholz branch line. Between 1904 and 1905, it was converted into a hospital and retirement home, with parts of the complex being reshaped in Neo-Gothic style and an additional inner courtyard being added. The Meerholz branch line died out in 1929, and in 1942, the city of Frankfurt acquired the property.