Sonnenberg

I love castles.  Our previous stints in Europe solidified my delight in these fortifications of old.  Now that we're back, I want to see as many as possible.  Today's post is about a small one in our vicinity- Sonnenberg Castle.

It's easy to focus on the popular castles, but I'm finding increasing delight in the 'little,' off-the-beaten path offerings.  Sonnenberg is certainly such; little remains outside a tower and portions of walls and gates.  And yet, this ruin has quite the history.  Wikipedia gives more detail; the gist:
- It was originally built ~1201-3 as a result of a border dispute; it was one of nine castles ruled by the House of Nassau
- It was the seat of Adolf of Nassau when he was crowned 'king of the Romans' [a claim to be Holy Roman Emperor] in 1292; he would never be crowned by the Pope to become Emperor, and died six years later
- It was visited by Emperor Ludwig in 1338, Holy Roman Emperor, suggesting its grandeur or prominence (at least in the local area)
- In 1351, it was granted the right to be its own jurisdiction; at that time, the walls were expanded to encompass surrounding homes
- It went through various periods of decay or renewal until being abandoned in the sixteenth century; it would shortly thereafter be used (like many other such structures) as a quarry for the local builders (here, to repair local damage due to the Thirty Years' War)

Ruins of Sonnenberg, steel engraving from "Views of the Rhine" by William Tombleson (c. 1840); taken from wikipedia

Not bad.  Below are pictures taken on my phone during walks or runs in the area.  It doesn't take long to tour, but as you stroll the ruins, think on what was.  And marvel in the fact that homes, to this day, are built into the surrounding walls.  I'd love to live nestled up against a castle.  Wouldn't you?