Burg Bad Orb, castle
Burg Bad Orb is a castle dating to the 13th century that sits on a small hill overlooking the town with solid stone walls. Its present appearance comes mainly from renovations in the 16th century, which added new windows, doors, and interior features while preserving the original core structure.
The castle was first mentioned in 1064 under the rule of the noble family of Budingen and became a regional administrative center. Following its integration into the ecclesiastical territory of Mainz in 1328, it was transformed into a residence for church officials and underwent major renovation under Archbishop Daniel Brendel von Homburg around 1570.
The castle served as a residence for officials and noble families, whose coats of arms remain carved in stone above doorways. The rooms and their layout reveal how important this place was for local governance and the social life of the region.
The castle sits elevated above the old town and is easily reached on foot from Bad Orb's center by paths that wind around the hill. Today it houses a small museum where visitors can learn about local history in a straightforward way and explore the historic rooms and original stone walls.
A coat of arms stone of the Milchling family from 1576 still hangs above a cellar door, testifying to this family's presence as officials during that century. Additionally, a rare round window with a divided arch was uncovered during recent repairs and carefully restored to its original position.
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