Schloss Erbach.

Schloss Erbach - Erbach Castle, Erbach im Odenwald, Hessen, Bundesrepublik Deutschland.

   The collection of medieval arms and armor, begun by Count Franz I in the 1780s, is one of the earliest such collections in Germany. The objects come from the property of noble relatives and friends, from arsenals in Nuremberg, Amberg, and Neumarkt, as well as from Italy and Austria.
    The Knights' Hall, an important example of early Gothic architecture in Europe, was designed according to plans by Johann Wilhelm Wendt around 1805. Several rooms were assembled for the installation, and the original suspended ceiling was demolished to create the necessary height for a representative hall. The ribbed vault and wall decorations are made of wood, but due to their paintwork, they are intended to give the impression of colored sandstone.
    Franz I had medieval glass windows collected by himself, the oldest dating back to 1271, installed in the Knights' Hall. The horse armor of Erasmus Schenk zu Erbach, which Francis I was able to acquire from the Nuremberg Arsenal, is significant for its family history.
    The main component is the Ortenburger saddle, masterfully crafted from iron in the 16th century, a gift from the family of one of Count Franz I's legitimate sons.