ヴァイデンタールの洞窟・トップ20

Small castle ruins tower above Neidenfels, with a view of Neidenfels

Alt-Erfenstein was abandoned in 1380 and was then uninhabited. Today there are only a few remains of the wall and the associated boulders, which are slightly above the (successor) Erfenstein Castle; in front of it is a single rest bench on the hiking trail

Small castle ruins with a great view of Neustadt

Rest area with a great view of the valley and Spangenberg Castle

From the rest bench you have a beautiful view of the valley, which is even kept free. With a little luck or good timing, you might catch the cuckoo horse at the entrance to the village.

The castle was probably built in the 11th century. From 1505 onwards, the masters of the nearby "Stutgarten" (now a listed building) lived here. In 1971, a citizens' initiative to save the Spanenberg ruins was founded, from which the "Spangenberg Castle Association" emerged. Its members are incredibly diligent in preserving these ruins (all volunteers!) and very graciously manage the restaurant in the castle tavern, which opened in 1980. Fantastic!

Unfortunately, the restaurant is closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. I've been here several times in recent years and have been rewarded with beautiful views and regional Palatinate specialties and wines. The restaurant staff are members of the Burg Spangenberg Association http://www.burg-spangenberg.de/ and spend their free time here to raise money for the castle's preservation.

Wonderful castle ruins, there is a lot to explore and you have a great view