Staufenberg – Castle, Old Town and Museums

Staufenberg Castle is the town’s landmark and consists of the Upper Castle and Lower Castle. The complex stands on a basalt cone high above the Lahn and Lumda rivers. This makes the castle complex and landscape the focus of a stay that can also include the historic streets and museums.

Castle Complex and Views

The ruins of the Upper Castle attract visitors; check access options in advance. From the corner tower, the view stretches across the Lahn and Lumda valleys. A spiral staircase leads up to it, but access to the tower may vary, so check before your visit. When planning, you can decide whether to focus on a walk around the castle complex or the viewpoint in the corner tower.

Below the castle, a beer garden offers views of the valleys and a place to take a break after the walk or climb up to the castle. As food and drink services may change, check before your trip whether the beer garden is currently open.

Half-Timbered Houses, Local History and Collections

The old town is home to well-preserved half-timbered houses, particularly along Ober-, Hinter-, Burg- and Mittelgasse. The protected historic ensemble also includes the densely built-up streets of Burggasse, Obergasse, Mittelgasse and Hintergasse. The gate tower is a preserved section of the former town wall. Together, the half-timbered houses, streetscape and gate tower offer several tangible points of interest in the town’s history beyond the castle.

The Staufenberg Local History Museum displays linen-making, as well as tools used in village trades, agricultural implements and machinery. It also has a large collection of historic cameras, in which Leitz (Leica) equipment features prominently. The Burghaus Museum is part of the Upper Castle ensemble and focuses on the history of Staufenberg Castle. Its exhibits include antique firearms, tools excavated at the castle and ceramic finds. While the Local History Museum brings together topics related to crafts, agriculture and technology, the Burghaus focuses on the history of the castle.

The surviving Gothic castle walls are also put to use as a backdrop for festivals and theatrical performances. If an event is important to your travel plans, check the specific dates in advance.

Multimedia Trail and Accommodation

The Peter-Kurzeck Multimedia Trail runs in and around Staufenberg and brings together audio and film recordings at twelve stops. The texts are in German. As content and technical availability may change, check before your visit whether the trail is currently accessible.

For an overnight stay in the castle setting, the Lower Castle is the place to look: it has a hotel and a restaurant where guests can stay and eat. Check current operating status and availability before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Rabenau, Buseck, Grünberg, Laubach, Lollar, Biebertal, Lich, Hungen.

Return to the overview of destinations: Gießen.