Nassau Castle

P3

Aerial view 2007

The castle ruins Nassau rises near the same place Nassau on a rocky peak 120 meters above the Lahn in the Rhein- Lahn-Kreis and is a typical example of a Summit castle. Your builders came from the House of Nassau, which still represents the ruler of the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

History

First mention is made of Nassau Castle in 1093 with the names of Count Dudo of Lauren Castle in the first deed of foundation of the Abbey Laach. However, since the document is considered forgery in circles of historians, this year is no reliable indication. The guaranteed origin of the castle date back to the year 1100. 1120 took Ruprecht I of Lauren Castle (also Rupert I. ) and his brother Arnold I. Nassauer castle hill along with the standing thereon residential tower in possession. They left the castle in 1124 remodel and expand.

However, since the castle at that time was on the land of the diocese of Worms, a bitter dispute between their family and the cathedral chapter of Worms, which are only 1159 resolved through the intervention of Trier Archbishop Hillin of the case manias evolved from the possession of the two brothers could. The Lauren Burger Graf family waived its Allodialrecht and was enfeoffed by the Archbishop with castle and dominion Nassau in return. Henceforth, the Lauren Burger named after their new family castle " Count of Nassau ." For the first time this happens in 1160 with Henry I of Nassau.

Its cousin Henry II - also known as Henry the Rich - was built in the period 1220-1230 a palace in the late Romanesque style.

In 1255 it came to the so-called brother division, in the course of which Nassau County was divided between sons Henry Walram II and Otto I.. The Nassau castle but remained jointly owned by the two brothers, becoming the Ganerbenburg.

In the first half of the 14th century, the now rebuilt, 33 meters high, five rectangular keep was built. 1346 was also a second castle tower mention, however, of no longer exists at the present time. During a family feud between the Belligerent Ruprecht of Nassau Sonneberg, from the walramischen line of the house, and John I of Nassau- Dillenburg, the senior of the Ottonian line that is proven once existing Burgmann houses were destroyed in 1372.

By the end of the Middle Ages the castle was inhabited Nassau, but was then abandoned as a residence of the counts. Thus began the gradual decay of the building.

An engraving from Matthäus Merian the 17th century still shows an intact Palas and keep and a gatehouse, but in the final stages of World War II, the remaining ruins were destroyed. In 1970, a start was made to expose the rectangular Burgbering, was of their buildings hardly anything available.

From 1976, the restoration of the keep was made: Its hipped roof and battlements and his band watchtowers were built after the engraving by Merian again and prepared the six to eight meter high vaulted arcades of its interiors. Moreover, the opening to the dungeon was uncovered in the basement of the tower.

The reconstruction of the palace and his Knights' Hall followed from 1979 to 1980, during which late Gothic window arches were rediscovered.

The Nassau Castle in 1965 came into the possession of the National Palace Department Rhineland- Palatinate (now castles, antiquities Rhineland -Palatinate). The keep can be visited free of charge, the registry office of the city of Nassau maintains there a maid room.