Ortenberg Castle

The origins of Ortenberg Castle date back to the 12th century, when the Lords of Ortenberg, likely a collateral line of the Lords of Büdingen, erected a castle around 1180. Archaeological traces indicate that the complex was destroyed in 1241 but quickly rebuilt. After the extinction of the Büdingen line around 1245, the castle came into the possession of a co-heir community, consisting of the Lords Reiz von Breuberg, von Trimberg, von Hohenlohe-Brauneck, and von Kempenich. Shares in the lordship of Ortenberg changed hands multiple times, including to the House of Nassau, the Lords of Eppstein, and the Lords of Weinsberg. Count Ludwig Georg von Stolberg initiated the conversion into a Renaissance castle in the late 16th century. Hanau expanded its share of ownership in the early 17th century and constructed a new gatehouse. At the end of the 18th century, the Counts of Stolberg became sole owners and carried out extensive new constructions.