Dhe Burg Münzenberg literally protrudes from the Wetterau. Located on the northern edge of the region, it catches the eye with its two keeps. From walkers and cyclists, but also from drivers who are on the A5 or the A45. The building, also known as the Münzenburg for short, inevitably catches the eye. Perhaps that is one of the main reasons for its popularity: Of the 48 properties owned by the administrator of Hessian Palaces and Gardens, the 12th-century castle is the one with the largest number of visitors.
The popularity certainly has something to do with its importance and what there is to see. First of all: A visitor center is not one of them. Because there is no such building. Not yet. But it could be in 2025, maybe even earlier. It ultimately depends on the money. Unlike a few years ago, there is no ice cream or drinks at the kiosk right behind the entrance. Because guests could not behave, left garbage and smashed bottles, the sale was stopped. If you want to eat something in the castle, you have to bring it yourself.
Keep with the Hessian flag on top
Depending on the time of day, a flying visit to the bakery on the edge of Munzenberg’s market square might be worthwhile. From there it is only a few minutes’ walk up to the castle. Getting a little out of breath on the way up is no shame. Rather, the small climb for the ascent to the keep with the Hessian flag on top trains. Before that, visitors must pass under two arches along the slightly winding, roughly paved path.
In between, it’s worth taking a look through one of the windows or a loophole to the south-east. The second arch in the back opens up the view of the core castle, which was once built as a manifestation of the Staufer family. From the 11th to the 13th century, the Staufers provided the Roman-German emperors and kings. They were supported by regional nobility such as the von Hagen-Arnsburg family, who had the castle built around 1160.
The architecture is considered sophisticated. Expert voices refer to the mighty hump ashlars of the ring wall and representative residential buildings. In the castle, for example, a window arcade with columns and capitals on the Romanesque Palas draws attention to itself. The rectangular beam holes for the former ceilings are also clearly visible in the walls. It pays to pay attention to details and take your time.
Großer Feldberg and Hoherodskopf in view
If you want to linger in the main castle and let your gaze wander, you can sit on one of the numerous benches. They are grouped in a ring under the mighty tree in front of the keep with the flag. Especially on warm days it can be endured well there. The way up to the keep leads over 145 steps. 99 of them are inside. The wooden staircase goes up, the skylight provides brightness. As it turns out, it is a glazed dome, which in case of doubt can serve as a rain cover. The view from the keep is unparalleled, especially in good weather: the Angelburg can be seen as well as the Großer Feldberg and the Hoherodskopf.
In summer, a visit can be easily combined with the museum railway run by Eisenbahnfreunde Wetterau. The train leaves Bad Nauheim. The travel times can be found online at www.ef-wetterau.de. The castle itself is open in April from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays you can visit it until 5 p.m. From the beginning of May it will then be open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. There are castle tours on Sundays: they start at 12 and 3 p.m. and last about an hour. A family ticket for two adults and two children costs eight euros.