Alte Burg Battenberg

Alte Burg Battenberg is a spur castle located on a northeastern promontory of Kellerberg at 355 meters elevation, overlooking the Eder river valley. The original three-story manor house was demolished in 1740, and today the site contains a modern community building constructed between 1967 and 1973.

The fortress was first documented in 1214 and came under the control of the Counts of Wittgenstein after they acquired the neighboring Battenberg county. This change of ownership shaped the political structure of the region for centuries to come.

The castle served as an administrative center for centuries, where various noble families like the Counts of Nassau and Waldeck exercised their authority. Visitors can still sense the importance this place held in regional history.

The site sits on elevated terrain with good views over the surrounding landscape, making it worth a visit for a walk. Visitors should be prepared for uneven ground since the castle location is on a steep spur of the mountain.

A deep neck ditch protected the castle from the Kellerberg side, while a tall shield wall and high gate tower formed its primary defensive structures. These combinations of ditch and walls show the sophisticated defensive strategy typical of castles from that period.

Location: Battenberg (Eder)

GPS coordinates: 51.01870,8.64560

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:02