Castles in the Wasgau

Once upon a time, the emperors of the Staufer family were enthroned high up on this huge rock ship, steering the destinies of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. In addition to the storage of the imperial jewels, of which copies are now issued, the castle also served as a prison for opponents of the emperor. The most famous among them, Richard the Lionheart, was said to have been held at the castle for over a year and only regained his freedom after a massive ransom of 12 tons of silver.

January to March: 09:00 to 17:00
April to September: 09:00 to 18:00
October to November: 09:00 to 17:00

Closed on December.

Ticket prices:
Adults 4,50 Euro (reduced 3,50 Euro),
Children and adolescents (6-18 years) 2,50 Euro,
Groups from 10 persons 4,00 Euro (child 2,00 Euro)

The castle is also a highlight for climbers who like to climb in the evening sun about 80 meters of the front rock.

From here you have one of the most beautiful views of the opposite Trifels. In addition, climbing beginners who want to climb a short enjoyment wall or climb around the rock sometimes cavort here.

As part of the Trifels group, it probably served to protect Trifels, but was abandoned in the 13th century.

Great ruin with moat and beautiful views to Trifels and into the Rhine plain

Great castle ruins in which children can also go on their discovery tour. At the entrance a small donation box for the preservation of this beautiful ruin. 👍Please note: The Neuscharfeneck castle ruin has been closed since October 2nd, 2019 due to dilapidation.
Current information is available at:
neuscharfeneck.de

The Ramburg above the Dernbachtal is easy to hike and therefore perfect for families with small children. Next door can be strengthened at the Ramburgschenke typical Pfälzer home cooking and Rieslingschorle.

The rather unknown Meistersel - also called Modeneck or Modenbacher Schloss - was founded around the 11th century and destroyed in the 30-year war.

One of these castle ruins, which are great to explore with children. The approach is steep but extremely short. The view over Busenberg and the gently rolling hills of Wasgau worthwhile.

At the parking lot is the Drachenfelshütte of the Palatinate Forest Association, in which the usual Palatine specialties such as Saumagen, liver dumplings and hand cheese with a neat Schoppen Rieslingschorle can be washed down.

At first glance, it seems that this castle miraculously survived all the years of looting, peasants' wars and regular lightning strikes. However, as it looks today, it is just over 120 years old. About 400 years before the reconstruction in 1890, the castle was struck by lightning and lay in the episode as a ruin. In the course of the restoration, many parts of the castle were not reconstructed true to the original.

Nevertheless, a trip is always worthwhile.

Admission (as of 2011):
Adults: 4 euros,
Young people, students and group discount 3 Euro (visit only possible in connection with a castle tour).

The Tower of Little France or Thurm France is the pre-festival for Berwartstein Castle, from which you have a beautiful view from here.

Unfortunately, the tower is closed and not accessible. For the view alone, a detour from the Ritter Trapp Weg, which passes close to the tower, is worthwhile.

More information about the tower can be found here:
de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burg_Klein-Frankreich

For beautiful photos of the castle it is definitely worth a camera with a telephoto lens dabeizuhaben.

The Dahner castles group consists of the rock castles Altdahn, Grafendahn and Tanstein. All three are exceptionally well restored and thus offer an authentic castle experience. Admission is free.

Below the three castles, the castle tavern Altdahn invites you to dine and drink.

Neudahn was destroyed like almost all castles in Wasgau in the course of the peasants' war in the 16th century. Nevertheless, it belongs to one of the best preserved castles of the Palatinate Forest and was fortunately restored in the 70s true to the original.

From up here you have a comprehensive overview of the Wasgau with its gently rolling hills and dreamy clearings. The castle was destroyed in the Peasants' War in the 16th century and was never rebuilt. Admission is free.

Under the castle, the Cramerhaus tempts you with Palatinate specialties and selected Palatinate wines. For the little ones there is a playground and a small animal enclosure with goats, geese and sheep.

Great 360 ° panorama over Rhine plain and Palatine forest. In the distance, the Black Forest is easy to see! In the tavern, there are all sorts of food (including vegetarian) and drinks at really good prices (large Radler 0.5 l for 3 €).

About Klingemünster is this extremely well-preserved castle, which is one of the most famous in the Palatinate. From the keep you have a sensational view over the entire Rhine valley.

Here, concerts and medieval markets ("Landeckfest") take place, where you can watch all sorts of hustle and bustle.

Again, a castle tavern with a terrace invites you to enjoy Flammkuchen & Co.

The name - as well as everything about this ruin is unknown. It is certain that it is one of the oldest palaces of the Palatinate and since the year 2000 it has been protected by UNESCO.

The small castle was, like many others, destroyed in the Palatinate Peasants' War. Only sparsely restored, it still offers a fantastic view over the southern Palatinate Forest and the adjacent Vosges. Below the ruin is a beautiful castle well.

The Blumenstein is a typical Wasgau rock castle built like many others in the 13th century. Stairs carved into the rock lead up to the very top of the plateau, where once stood a keep.

Just because the flower stone is so small, its plateau invites to a cozy Vesper. An insider tip.

Directly on the border with French Alsace can be with 571 m above sea level. NN find the highest castle of the Palatinate.

It boasts a very well-preserved upper castle and its height offers a perfect panorama over the gently rolling hills of the Wasgau.