in the western part of the core castle. In 1296 the Falkenstein family finally left Münzenberg Castle and moved to Lich. Philipp VII of Falkenstein-Münzenberg was created a count in 1397. In 1418 the family died out with the Archbishop of Trier, Werner von Falkenstein. His three younger brothers having died without male issue, the two remaining sisters partitioned the inheritance. The House of Solms, originally from Solms, inherited Münzenberg Castle as well as its lands and those of Lich. After 125 years of vacancy, the castle was expanded again around 1424, with Bernhard of Solms-Braunfels building a gate tower, the Zwinger complex with outer bailey and the outer ring wall with a front gate. His brother Johann (1411–1457) founded the branch of Solms-Lich which shortly afterwards took over Münzenberg castle. In 1514 the Romanesque part was altered in late Gothic style and a large western and four smaller battery towers inserted into the outer curtain wall. The Thirty Years' War left the castle in ruins. In 1846 work began on restoring individual parts of the castle and securing the masonry. Just one year later, the eastern keep could be climbed. However, plans for a romantic restoration of the castle were dropped by the counts of Solms-Laubach, by then owners of the castle. In 1935 they sold it to the People's State of Hesse. Today, the State Palaces and Gardens of Hesse maintain the castle ruins. Description A striking feature of Münzenberg Castle is that it has two tall defensive towers, a structure known as a bergfried (Thompson 2008). Such a tower is a typical feature of castles in the region, but there is usually only one, forming the strongest point of the castle. The bergfrieds at Münzenberg are both round, the taller one being 29 meters high. The two bergfrieds stand at opposite ends of the inner ward (here called the Kernburg). The inner ward is completely surrounded by an outer ward with an outer curtain wall, providing defense in depth. References Thompson, M.W., The Rise of the Castle. Cambridge University Press 2008. . Binding, G., Burg Münzenberg, eine staufische Burganlage. Bonn 1963. External links Info on the municipal website (in German) Castles in Hesse Imperial castles Ruined castles in Germany