Imperial Palace Gelnhausen, Castle ruin in Gelnhausen, Germany
The Imperial Palace Gelnhausen is a castle ruin situated on a former island in the Kinzig River, displaying Romanesque architecture with intricate stonework and decorated windows. The site comprises several building sections that reflect the layout of a princely residence.
Frederick I Barbarossa had this palace built between 1160 and 1180 to secure Hohenstaufen control over the important trade route connecting Frankfurt and Leipzig. The complex served as a symbol of his authority in this strategic region.
The windows feature detailed capital decorations with medieval motifs including tendrils, foliage, human faces, and animal figures. These ornaments show how rulers expressed their power through magnificent architecture.
The ruins are located in Gelnhausen's old town by the river and are within walking distance of the city center. Plan enough time to explore the site and walk around the area of the former island.
The construction required thousands of wooden piles driven into soft ground to create a stable foundation on the island. This elaborate base shows the engineering challenges builders faced when constructing on swampy terrain.
Location: Gelnhausen
Part of: Burgmannensiedlung mit Burgtor
Address: Burgstraße 12
GPS coordinates: 50.20000,9.19556
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40
Hesse preserves an extensive collection of historic structures spanning nearly two millennia. The Roman fort of Saalburg near Bad Homburg documents 2nd century frontier fortifications along the Limes. Medieval monasteries such as Arnsburg near Lich and Seligenstadt demonstrate Carolingian and Romanesque construction, while the abbey ruins at Bad Hersfeld reveal the architectural scale of Benedictine establishments. The Abbey of Lorsch holds UNESCO World Heritage status and presents through its gatehouse one of the most important examples of early medieval architecture north of the Alps. The region connects these religious and military structures with castles and palaces from various periods. Münzenberg Castle and the ruins at Ulrichstein document Hohenstaufen fortification techniques, while Braunfels Palace and Friedrichstein Palace in Bad Wildungen illustrate the evolution from defensive stronghold to residence. The Grimm Brothers House in Steinau an der Straße links literary heritage with regional history. Geological formations such as the Rock Sea in the Odenwald and the Crystal Cave at Kubach complement the human built monuments with natural history features.
Marienkirche
392 m
Gelnhausen station
577 m
Schloss Meerholz
3.9 km
Romanisches Haus
323 m
Peterskirche
566 m
Gotisches Haus (Gelnhausen)
439 m
Martinskirche (Altenhaßlau)
1.2 km
Reinhardskirche
1.3 km
Maria Königin
3.9 km
Kinzigaue bei Gelnhausen
1.3 km
Evangelische Kirche
3.6 km
Synagoge
250 m
Alte Schmidtgasse 11
560 m
Alte Schmidtgasse 1
575 m
Hexenturm
216 m
Bunker 84 Meerholz
4 km
Bunker 77 Meerholz
3.9 km
Bauwerk 79 Meerholz
3.9 km
Bunker 75 Meerholz
3.9 km
Buttenturm in Gelnhausen
755 m
Bunker 73 Meerholz
3.8 km
Bunker 82 Meerholz
4 km
Bunker 83 Meerholz
3.9 km
Bunker 81 Meerholz
4.1 km
Fachwerkhaus Untermarkt 3
275 m
Ziegelturm
279 m
Läuthäuschen, ehemaliger Wehrturm
3.2 km
Bunker 74 Meerholz
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