Schadeck Castle

Burg Schadeck stands above the River Lahn on a projecting hillside in the parish of Schadeck, about 50 metres above the water. It was built between 1276 and 1288 by Henry of Westerburg as a counter-castle to nearby Runkel Castle. The name comes from its purpose: a spot from which to damage Runkel Castle. The castle was never used to conquer Runkel, but conflicts continued for decades. In 1344 Archbishop Baldwin of Luxembourg captured the castle during disputes over estates east of the Rhine. Parts of the castle were slighted during the Thirty Years' War and again in 1803. The most important part of the castle today is a well-preserved, three-and-a-half-storey rectangular building with a staircase tower on its western side. The castle is divided into private residences, so the interior cannot be visited. Only a few remains and foundation walls survive from the other buildings. The site is a listed building and protected under the Hague Convention in wartime. Ownership changed many times in the 19th century, and the west wing once housed the municipality’s mayor’s office. Visitors find the castle above the Lahn with views of the winding river and surrounding countryside. The preserved building and staircase tower stand out against the remaining ruins and foundation walls. The site is quiet, with no interior access, but the exterior and surroundings remain impressive. The castle’s history is visible in its structure and the landscape around it. The contrast between the preserved main building and the scattered ruins tells the story of its past.