History of the castle
The castle was acquired by the Nassau counts between 1220-1240 and used as a strategically important customs and transportation hub. Until 1360, Ginsburg Castle changed hands several times through inheritances, pledges and divisions. It gained particular importance in 1568 when William the Silent, Prince of Orange, Count of Nassau, gathered an army on the Ginsberg Heath and marched out with his troops via Freudenberg to liberate the Netherlands. The Ginsberg Heath was located in the immediate vicinity of the Landhecke, which was built to protect against the Duchy of Westphalia (Archbishopric of Cologne). Goods were transported along the "beats", which were extensively fortified in order to be able to levy the specified goods duty.
In the 17th century, the castle fell into ruin and the remains of the walls were uncovered and restored in the 1960s. In 1975, a half-timbered building was erected in the immediate vicinity of the round keep built on the rectangular foundation walls of an older tower. An older hammer mill was built on the castle grounds using original building fabric. This building originally came from the former district of Buschgotthardshütten on the Ferndorfbach (today Siegen, Weidenau district).
Current use
Today, the Ginsburg is an excursion destination and viewpoint. The rooms of the tower, which was rebuilt in the 1960s, are used as a banqueting hall and wedding room. An exhibition inside the castle reminds visitors of the historical significance of this German-Dutch memorial site. In addition to the rustic restaurant, the old castle kitchen also has a room on the upper floor which is used for teaching events.
Weddings
Since May 2025, weddings have been held in the Ginsburg tower room between May and September.
Further information can be found under Registry Office / Hilchenbach and on the Ginsburg website.
Guided tours
Verein zur Erhaltung der Ginsburg, guest and cultural landscape guide Michael Thon
Phone 02733 811 72 50 or info@gruenthon.de,Grünthon.de
Gastronomy:
The Ginsburg Café invites you to take a leisurely break with delicious treats! Check the opening times on the homepages of the Verein zur Erhaltung der Ginsburg e.V. and the Ginsburg Café. Here you will also find dates for events...
Special features
Every year at Whitsun, the international music and theater festival Kultur Pur takes place on the Ginsberg Heath. A play by the Schlossberg Raubritter is performed in the keep.
