| The Butzbach Market Square has been the center of urban life since the foundation of the town in 1321. With its market fountain, the town hall (of 1560) and many outstanding half-timbered houses it ranks among the most picturesque and best-known squares in the State of Hesse. |
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| St. Michael�s Chapel was finished in 1435 and housed the former ossuary (i.e. human bones that were preserved here after dug-ups in the churchyard) in the ground floor and two chapels over this. It is a remarkable stone building with late-gothic frescoes of St. Michael and St. Catherine (1435). After the reformation the chapels were used to store hay, the municipal flour scales or the fire engine. |
| St. Mark�s Church is Butzbach�s Protestant parish church. Around 1500 it presumably evolved from a 13th century basilica to the Gothic hall church with three almost equally high naves and choirs. The Gothic spires were replaced by today�s Baroque structure in 1606. St.Mark�s houses an organ of 1614, a pulpit of 1617, the family crypt of count (or landgrave) Philipp of Hesse-Butzbach (1622) and a great number of outstanding cultural monuments (murals, tomb stones etc.). | 
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| Zur Eule (The Owl) was built in the first half of the 16th century. It is one of the oldest inns in town and is famous for its LICHER beer. There is a good chance to meet me here. | 
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| Between 1321 and 1368 the newly founded town was fortified by a strong ring wall. Three town gates and several towers protected approx. 2000 citizens against raids of hostile knights and highway robbers. | 
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Where the eagle flew ...
The Butzbach Castle was the regional headquarters for the U.S. Army until they left in 1990. Count Philipp of Hesse-Butzbach (1609 - 1643) rebuilt the 14th century fortress and, with great style, turned it into a residence. After 1814 it was converted into military barracks. Some Gothic and Baroque elements of the building are still preserved. The castle is deserted now and in a rather bad shape.
The Solms Castle is essentially a late-Gothic stone building dating from before 1462. Part of the town wall was used in the structure. After 1481 it became the residence of the Counts of Solms. Its magnificent Renaissance staircase dates from 1588. Since 1879 it has been home of the local Court of Justice.
The descendants of the Solms family now live in their castles in Lich and Laubach (10 and 20 miles away). I live just around the corner.
St. Wendelin�s chapel is the oldest half-timbered church in the state (1440). Being part of the municipal infirmary - an institution for the sick, the poor and the old - it was erected outside the city walls. The chapel houses, among other things, the precious St. Wendelin shrine, which was carved and painted around 1510. Restored and reconsecrated in 1987 St. Wendelin�s is now used as a place for worship and concerts.
How do I get to Butzbach? (or rather back to the start page?