Runkel, town in Landkreis Limburg-Weilburg in Hesse, Germany
Runkel is a small town in the Lahn River valley in the Limburg-Weilburg district of Hesse, with its old town built on a steep slope above the river. A castle crowns the hill, old stone houses line the hillside below it, and a medieval stone bridge connects the two banks of the river.
Runkel appeared in written records for the first time in 1159, when a noble family established a castle there. The castle was heavily damaged during the Thirty Years' War and rebuilt in 1649.
The name Runkel comes from the noble family that built the castle in the medieval period. Walking through the old town today, you can see how the lanes and stone buildings grew around the castle over time.
The town sits on a steep hillside with many stairs and narrow paths, so sturdy shoes make the visit much more comfortable. Starting from the river and making your way up toward the castle lets you take in the old buildings at a natural pace.
Inside the castle, there is a torture chamber that has been kept in its original state for visitors to see. This room gives a direct look at a side of medieval life that most places no longer show.
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