From a medieval castle to a ducal residence, Simmern Castle was completely destroyed in 1689 during the Palatinate War of Succession. From 1708 the current castle was rebuilt in classical style. In 1802 Napoleon gifted the castle to the city of Simmern. Since then, it has served as a court, school, garrison, prison and official residence.
Today there is a ballroom with a foyer and kitchen, the Hunsrueck Museum, the photo archive of the city and district administration, the city library, the wedding room, the tourist information and the art collection of famous painter and sculptor Friedrich Karl Ströher in the premises of the New Castle.
