Mespelbrunn Castle

The origins of the castle date back to the early 15th century. In 1412, Archbishop Johann II of Nassau of Mainz granted the forester Hamann Echter a plot of land at Espelborn, where he built an unfortified house. Given the insecure conditions in the Spessart at the time, which was used by Hussites as a retreat, Hamann Echter's son began constructing a fortified complex with walls, towers, and a moat in 1427. In later times, the castle was transformed into a Renaissance palace. It acquired its current appearance through renovations carried out between 1551 and 1569 under Peter Echter von Mespelbrunn and his wife Gertraud von Adelsheim.