The castle of Philippstein

3 km from the centre of Braunfels lies Philippstein. Its castle built in 1390 by Philippe I. from Nassau-Weilburg rises on a spur of rock (the eponymic "stein" in the name of the place) above the settlement and was built to protect the country against intrusion from neighbouring Solms-Braunfels. Up to the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) a steward lived in and looked after the castle.


Afterwards, this border fortification of the Nassau Counts fell into disrepair until members of the "Burgverein" (an association that now cares for Philippstein castle) rebuilt it with support from the municipality of Braunfels.