Burg Schwarzenfels: A Historic Castle in Sinntal, Germany

Visitor Information

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Official Website: ritter-schwarzenfels.de

Country: Germany

Civilization: Early Modern, Medieval European

Site type: Military

Remains: Castle

History

Burg Schwarzenfels sits atop a hill in the municipality of Sinntal, Germany. Constructed during the late 13th century by regional nobility, it was first mentioned in written records in 1280. The castle’s name derives from the distinctive black dolerite rock used in its building.

In the early 14th century, specifically in 1333, ownership of the castle shifted through inheritance from the House of Rieneck to the Counts of Hanau. As a Reich fief, it served a significant administrative role overseeing the surrounding Schwarzenfels district. During this period, the castle’s original fortifications were expanded, incorporating residential features that highlighted its elevated status. By the early 17th century, enhancements such as an ornate portal dated 1621 and a nearby well underscore its transformation into a more refined noble residence.

Throughout the centuries, Burg Schwarzenfels functioned repeatedly as a widow’s domicile, a custom shared with other Hanau estates including those in Steinau and Windecken. The castle gained personal prominence during a family inheritance dispute when Count Albrecht took residence there, founding the Hanau-Münzenberg-Schwarzenfels lineage. This branch concluded with the death of Johann Ernst in the early 1640s.

The Thirty Years War brought destruction to the stronghold, leading to the abandonment of its core sections. In 1643, the castle and its district were pledged as collateral to the Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel to cover unpaid expenses related to the 1636 liberation of nearby Hanau from imperial forces. This financial arrangement was never reversed, and from that point the castle remained under Hessian control. Following the extinction of the Hanau line in 1736, administration of Schwarzenfels continued under Hessian authority.

Later in the 18th century, Landgrave Wilhelm IX transferred oversight of Burg Schwarzenfels back to Hanau’s local government. The political landscape shifted again in 1866 with Prussia’s annexation of the Electorate of Hesse. With this change, the castle entered a phase of neglect; some sections were left to deteriorate while others, including a tavern on the premises, were sold off. By the end of the 19th century, preservation efforts began to counter this decline. In the 20th century, various parts were repurposed, including housing a forestry administration. Today, the site remains under the care of the State Palaces and Gardens of Hesse, supported locally by a citizens’ group seeking its revitalization. Among those connected to the castle’s recent history is writer Ulrike Edschmid, who spent her childhood there.

Remains

The ruins of Burg Schwarzenfels retain substantial stone walls that crown a commanding hilltop, offering expansive views characteristic of medieval fortifications. Constructed primarily from the distinctive black dolerite rock, the castle’s materials provide both its name and a striking visual identity. The site’s centerpiece is the large Marstall, or stable building, dating to 1557. This structure has been restored and repurposed, with its first floor currently serving as a hostel space, showing adaptive reuse of the historic fabric.

Dominating the site is the bergfried, a tall defensive tower standing 25 meters high. In recent years, specifically between 2015 and 2016, it underwent significant restoration. These works added a steel exterior cladding and an interior staircase, along with a new observation platform made from metal grating and glass. A flagpole now surrounds the tower’s summit, enhancing its presence as a local landmark.

One notable architectural detail is a richly ornamented portal from 1621, which remains intact near a well or fountain located immediately in front of the entrance. This portal reflects the castle’s residential phase during the early 17th century, illustrating a shift from purely military function to more refined noble living.

Overall, the site is recognized as a protected historical monument under the care of the State Palaces and Gardens of Hesse. It serves not only as a place of historical interest but also as a venue for cultural events, such as a historical experiential Christmas market, which brings life to the ruins in a manner respectful of their heritage.