Pyrmont looked more impressive in a few photos I saw, so we decided to check it out. When we got there we found the castle was closed, another victim of ruhetag. However, as we walked around some of the grounds we were not too impressed by the site, particularly since it has undergone extensive reconstruction. Quite frankly, I prefer a ruin like Winneburg over Pyrmont. Of course, had we been able to get into the castle my opinion may have been different.
Photos taken in 2008.
Pyrmont was built in the late 1200s, and achieved its prime during the 1400s. The castle was heavily damaged by the French during the War of the Palatinate Succession in the late 1600s. It was partially rebuilt in the1800s, but after that was allowed to decay due to being too expensive to maintain. Like many other ruins it was even used as a quarry for local people to excavate stones to build their homes and businesses. This practice was stopped and some restoration work has been done. The castle has a restaurant and even hosts weddings and other parties. You can even rent the entire castle for an event!
