How old is this castle?

It is believed to originate from the Carolingian period, around the 8th century, with remains of a 10th-century building found in recent excavations.

Why was the castle abandoned?

It apparently lost its role guarding the roads once the nearby Burg Gleiberg was built.

Can the site be visited freely?

Yes, it is a forest ruin with no known opening hours or fees, reached by a path.

Gronauer Schloß

Krofdorf-Gleiberg

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Krofdorf-Gleiberg

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

Altes Gronauer Schloss stands in Krofdorf-Gleiberg (Landkreis Gießen), in Hesse, Germany. No visits are on record for this building.

The Burg Gronau, also called Altes Gronauer Schloss, is a ruined spur castle in the Krofdorf forest, perched above the Salzböde valley near Krofdorf-Gleiberg. It is thought to originate as a Carolingian stronghold guarding a crossing of old trade routes, a role it lost once the Burg Gleiberg was built nearby, after which it fell into decay. Excavations carried out in the 20th century and again in 2015-2016 uncovered the foundations of several buildings, including a carefully built structure dated to the 10th century, possibly linked to the Conradine dynasty. Visitors today can still make out earthworks, remains of the surrounding wall and ditch, and the reconstructed outline of a building with an apse.

What to know

The site is an open-air ruin reached via a forest path leading up to the rocky spur.
It is primarily an archaeological site, with few standing masonry remains above ground.
With no fixed hours or admission fee, the site can be visited freely, much like a woodland walk.
The ground is wooded and uneven, so sturdy walking shoes are advisable.

Where this château is

Krofdorf-Gleiberg · Landkreis Gießen · Hessen

Map of the area around Altes Gronauer Schloss

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

35435 Wettenberg

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

Get directions View on a map

Heritage status: Protection status unknown

In pictures

Frequently asked

What remains of the Altes Gronauer Schloss today?: Visitors can see earthworks, traces of the surrounding wall and ditch, and the reconstructed outline of a building with an apse and tower.
How old is this castle?: It is believed to originate from the Carolingian period, around the 8th century, with remains of a 10th-century building found in recent excavations.
Why was the castle abandoned?: It apparently lost its role guarding the roads once the nearby Burg Gleiberg was built.
Can the site be visited freely?: Yes, it is a forest ruin with no known opening hours or fees, reached by a path.