Burgruine Merenberg

Merenberg, Germany

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Burgruine Merenberg is a historic castle ruin located on a prominent basalt cone overlooking the Lahn valley in the town of Merenberg, Germany.

The castle was first mentioned in documents from 1129 and served as the ancestral seat of the noble von Merenberg family, who rose to prominence in the Middle Ages through marriage alliances with other European noble houses, including the Nassau-Weilburg line. The castle played a strategic role as a protective stop on an old trade route, providing tolls and security to travelers.

It was destroyed by fire during the Thirty Years’ War around 1646 and was never rebuilt. Today, visitors can see remnants of the outer walls, cellars, and the former three-story palas. The 22-meter high round keep remains a lookout point with panoramic views of the surrounding natural landscape.

The ruins stand as a symbol of the region’s medieval history and the noble lineage connected to Luxembourg's current Grand Duke, who still holds the title “Lord of Merenberg”.