Ziegenhain Fortress, Medieval water fortress in Schwalmstadt, Germany.
The fortress features a preserved water trench surrounding its perimeter, along with fortified walls and a central castle structure housing multiple buildings.
Landgrave Philipp the Noble transformed the site into a military stronghold in 1537, establishing it as one of four primary fortifications in Hesse.
The Schwalm Museum, located in the former commander's residence, displays regional artifacts and a model of the fortress from 1760.
The fortress complex now contains a modern prison facility, while guided tours of accessible areas are available through the Schwalm-Touristik office.
The fortress gained recognition through the saying 'Strong as Ziegenhain' and marked the birthplace of Christian confirmation through the Ziegenhain Church regulations.
Location: Schwalmstadt
GPS coordinates: 50.91100,9.23500
Latest update: March 6, 2025 13:21
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.
Treysa station
3.5 km
Totenkirche
3.2 km
Hochwasserrückhaltebecken Treysa-Ziegenhain
2.7 km
Museum der Schwalm
45 m
Schloss Rommershausen
4.4 km
Stadtkirche Treysa
3.5 km
Wallfahrtskirche Trutzhain
2.8 km
Hexenturm
3.6 km
Heilig-Geist-Hospital
3.5 km
Stadtkirche Ziegenhain
56 m
Hospitalkapelle
3.5 km
Evangelisch-reformierte Kirche Wasenberg
5.4 km
Rathaus Treysa
3.3 km
Steinernes Haus
45 m
Kirche Ascherode
1.7 km
Jüdischer Friedhof Treysa
3.2 km
Kirche Allendorf an der Landsburg
4.5 km
Evangelische Kirche
4.2 km
Evangelische Kirche
3.3 km
Church of Rommershausen
4.3 km
Hephata Schwalmstadt Church And Memorial
4.1 km
St. Josef
389 m
Leistwiesen bei Rommershausen
4.5 km
Vogelschutzgebiet Schwalmniederung bei Schwalmstadt
3.8 km
Flachsrasen bei Dittershausen
3.3 km
Leistwiesen bei Rommershausen
4.5 km
2 Eichen von Ziegehain
1.2 km
Linde in Allendorf an der Landsburg
4.5 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes