Burg Freienstein

Oberzent, Germany, Germany

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Burg Freienstein is a medieval hill castle ruin crowning the Weckberg above Gammelsbach, a district of Oberzent in Hesse's Odenwald region, Germany.

First mentioned as "Schloss Fryenstein" in 1297 and likely built in the 13th century by the Schenken von Erbach after acquiring it from the Pfalz to secure their southern border and monitor Gammelsbach traffic, it served as an administrative seat for 15 villages, a protective refuge, and later a residence for counts with expansions like a Gefängnisturm prison tower and Zwingers.

Damaged during the Thirty Years' War but rebuilt as a Wohnburg around 1550, it fell into decay afterward; a local Förderverein now maintains the site with trails, events, and restoration projects.