Schaumburg Castle

Schloss Schaumburg stands above the Lahn valley south of Balduinstein in the Rhein-Lahn district. The castle is a schloss built on a hilltop, surrounded by dense woodland and offering long views over the river and the surrounding hills. It was once the seat of the Waldeck and Pyrmont princely family, who ruled nearby territories for centuries. Later it became the retirement home of Josias, Hereditary Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont, a senior SS officer in the 1930s and 1940s. After the Second World War the property passed into private hands before being bought by a Turkish investment group. The castle’s history is tied to the small lordship of Schaumburg, which once included the villages of Biebrich, Cramberg and Steinsberg along the Lahn. These places lie within a few kilometres of the castle, linked by quiet country roads and footpaths. The Waldeck family used the schloss as a retreat and administrative centre for their scattered lands. Josias’s residence there in the mid-20th century added a controversial chapter to its story. Visitors reach the castle along a winding drive through beech and oak woods. The main building is a three-storey structure with a slate roof and symmetrical windows. Inside, some rooms retain period fittings from the Waldeck era, while others show later alterations. Terraces on the south side give views across the Lahn valley towards the Taunus hills. The surrounding estate includes parkland and farm buildings, all enclosed by a high stone wall.