Spangenberg (or Spangenburg in some sources) should not be confused with the Hessen town and castle of the same name. The site dates back to the early 1100s, and was originally built to counter the castle Erfenstein across the stream valley. The castle got caught up in the same war that consumed Erfenstein, and Spangenberg was damaged heavily. The castle passed to the Knights of Niepperg in 1480 and reconstruction began in the early 1500s. The castle was then destroyed during the Thirty Years War. Efforts were made to rebuilt it, but it fell victim in 1688 during the war for succession of the Pfalz. After this it remained a ruin.
