Molsberg: Castle History and Landscape

Molsberg brings together the history of a medieval castle with a later Baroque palace, a historic garden and a hilly landscape. Different eras meet at the palace: Molsberg Castle was built before 1116 by the Lords of Molsberg and formed part of a chain of castles protecting the trade route between Frankfurt and Cologne. In 1760, it was demolished to make way for a Baroque palace commissioned by Johann Philipp von Walderdorff. Schloss Molsberg has stood on a basalt rock since 1766. It is located on today’s B8, the historic trade route between Frankfurt and Cologne.

From Castle to Baroque Palace

The palace was left unfinished and consists of a single rectangular wing. Taken together, the castle, its demolition in 1760 and the later construction of the palace form a clear sequence in the site’s building history. The palace rooms and chapel are housed under one roof. The stucco on the chapel ceiling and in the altar niche is by Michael Eytel; Johannes Seiz designed the chapel’s elaborate furnishings. Its restoration took six years and was completed in 2007.

A model of the former castle can be seen in the palace; check locally before you arrive to confirm access. The Schultheißen-Haus, opposite the former village school, dates from 1688 and adds to the historic landmarks in the village. Molsberg’s traditional Whitsun fair includes an open-air church service in the palace courtyard. Details may vary from year to year, so it is worth checking that year’s dates and programme.

Gardens, Trees and Seasonal Park Visits

In 1785, a garden with 258 plum trees and twelve pyramid-shaped trees was laid out at the palace. The palace park also has remarkable trees: two were recognised as German Champion Trees in 2011. The Schloss Molsberg estate is also home to centuries-old trees and views across the surrounding hills. These features give the garden and landscape their own historical dimension.

Parts of the palace park are open to visitors from Easter to the end of October. Check the latest seasonal access information before your visit. The restored garden pavilion serves as an exhibition space for contemporary art, with two exhibitions held there each year. If you are planning a visit, check access to the pavilion and the current exhibition programme in advance.

Planning a Cycling or Hiking Trip

The Westerwaldschleife cycling route passes Schloss Molsberg. Before setting off, check the latest route information, particularly for possible diversions or closures. An easy, 13-kilometre hike starts and ends in Steinefrenz and passes through hilly countryside of fields and meadows. Schloss Molsberg is one of the sights along the route. You can choose between different types of trip: cycling on the Westerwaldschleife or taking an easy hike with a set start and end point in Steinefrenz.

Exploring the Westerwald on a Larger Scale

The wider Westerwald destination offers longer options for hiking enthusiasts. The WesterwaldSteig is a 235-kilometre long-distance hiking trail through the Westerwald, with 16 stages. The Druidensteig runs for 94 kilometres over seven day stages through seven river valleys and features more than 30 geo-information points. The different distances and number of stages help distinguish individual walks from multi-stage hiking plans.

This lets you tailor your search to the kind of trip you have planned, without treating individual routes or experiences as interchangeable.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Alsbach, Holler, Limbach, Winnen, Dreisbach, Dernbach, Caan, Mörsbach.

Back to the main travel overview: Westerwald.