An impressive keep, meter-thick walls, mysterious ornaments: the visitor to the Rotenberg Youth Castle reveals traces of times long past in many places. A look at the eventful history of the complex, which dates back to the Middle Ages, shows that these were anything but quiet and peaceful.
The origins of the former knight's castle go back to the 13th century. Knight "Streif von Rodenburg" from the Zähringer family still ruled the castle in 1255. But a short time later he sold the property and the village to the Bishop of Speyer, Heinrich Graf von Leiningen. In the following years the castle served its changing owners more than once as a pledge for unpaid monetary claims.
We know from the 16th century that the castle complex largely fell into disrepair and waited neglect for its fate. Until Bishop Philipp von Flersheim put an end to the miserable situation by having the walls "renovated" as a castle. The joy only lasted a short time, however. During the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) the property fell into flames, but could be rebuilt. After that, the change of decay and reconstruction of the castle under different owners lasted until the beginning of the 20th century.
In 1921/22 the owner at the time, a Freiherr von Reichenau, had the castle completed in a spacious style. During the National Socialist rule, it served as a domicile for the Hitler Youth.
Since 1952, Rotenberg Castle has accommodated school and youth groups and makes their stays an experience close to history.