Moated Castle

In the heart of the city, surrounded by parklands, the ruins of a moated castle stand in an idyllic location on the banks of the Nidda. It originated from a royal forest estate known as a “Wildhube.” This once vast royal forest required the management of game and woodland for the royal hunt by the forest warden. Partially destroyed in 1399, the Knights of Vilbel established their residence here; from 1581 to 1796, it then served as the official seat of the Electoral Mainz administration.

Its oldest parts date back to the 12th century. After its destruction in 1399, it was rebuilt and enlarged; since its second destruction in 1796, it has remained a ruin—a very active one. The different construction periods can be easily identified by the varying sizes of the sandstone blocks in the masonry.