Romantic palaces, castles and monasteries on the Lahn cycle path
If you follow the course of the Lahn, numerous medieval fortresses are lined up alongside mighty forts and romantic castles. A nice start is Gleiberg Castle, built over 1.000 years ago, not far from Gießen, in the Gleiberger Land. Anyone who fights their way up the 150 steps to the defiant keep will be rewarded with a fantastic view over the Lahntal to the Vogelsberg, Westerwald and Taunus. Refreshment awaits on the serviced terrace in the castle courtyard or in the newly designed Nassauer Stuben. And – just like in a fairy tale – with a bit of luck, visitors can even witness one of the many weddings.
Almost 30 kilometers down the Lahn Valley, Braunfels Castle, which has been in the family for almost 800 years, greets you from the top of a basalt cone. The historic walls with the beautifully renovated castle church are particularly dramatic during the summer open-air operas in the castle courtyard. With so much flair, it's not surprising that the film industry has long since acquired a taste for it: for example, cinephiles recognize the setting of the family film "Max and the Wild Seven" in the castle, as well as "King Thrushbeard" from the ARD fairy tale film production of the same name Braunfels Castle served as a residence.
Another 30 kilometers downstream of the Lahn, historians suspect that Runkel Castle was founded by the Hohenstaufen Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa, which served to secure the Lahn bridge located here. Centuries ago, Runkeler Rote was pressed and celebrated vigorously here - today, Prince Metfried zu Wied and Princess Felicitas, who have lived in the private part of the castle for over 50 years, are happy to give visitors insights into their lives.
To the southwest of Limburg, the Diez Count's Castle with its museum, which is well worth seeing, towers over the romantic half-timbered town of the same name. Today the castle is considered a highlight, especially among families and young people, as it houses one of the most beautiful youth hostels in Germany. And so, where knights used to come and go, today there are many happy pillow fights.
