Ruins of Altweilnau Castle
The large keep of the Altweilnau castle ruins stands out between old half-timbered houses. The 13th-century monument towers high above the picturesque village. Those who make the climb up the hill and tower are rewarded at the end with a magnificent, sweeping view into the distance of the High Taunus.
At a glance
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61276 Weilrod-Altweilnau
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Open to the public from 1 April to 31 October, and in good weather also in winter
History
The walls of the Altweilnau castle ruins take visitors back to times long past. First mentioned in 1208, the ruins of the castle with its seven towers are still preserved today. The round and almost 18-metre-high keep with its domed vault on the ground floor, the moat on the north-east side and parts of the spacious circular wall with the remains of a cupola tower are open to the public.
Counts of Diez
When the Counts of Diez had the fortress built around 1200, the castle demonstrably had many rooms. A nobleman‘s chamber, a vaulted room or the gentleman’s chamber were part of the building ensemble. Until 1563, the rooms were inhabited by the counts themselves as well as by appointed castle servants.
No Longer Habitable at an Early Stage
At the end of the 16th century, after parts of castle and office of Altweilnau had already been sold, the castle was completely abandoned. By 1608 it was no longer habitable. In the following centuries, accelerated by the Thirty Years‘ War (1618-48), it was subject to demolition and decay.
The entrance to the almost 18-metre-high keep with its mighty walls is a good seven metres above the ground and can be reached via a spiral staircase.
Foto: Michael Leukel, 2020
The ascent is almost complete. The last metres in altitude are conquered with the help of an artfully crafted spiral staircase.
Foto: Michael Leukel, 2020
The ascent is almost complete. The last metres in altitude are conquered with the help of an artfully crafted spiral staircase.
Foto: Michael Leukel, 2020
The cast-iron spiral staircase can be viewed even better from above.
Foto: Michael Leukel, 2020
The view over Altweilnau and the picturesque Weiltal valley is rewarding after the climb.
Foto: Michael Leukel, 2020
Precise Dating of the Keep
Recent investigations of the preserved building material still provide information about the past of the hilltop castle: for example, the keep can be dated quite precisely to 1203/04 on the basis of dendrochronological examinations of timbers.
The castle administration restored the castle ruins from 1980 to 1986 and, among other things, had the original wall thickness of the late medieval gate tower (1340) restored.
In addition to the keep, parts of the circular wall have also survived.
Foto: Michael Leukel, 2020
These days, the association Kultur- und Förderkreis Burg Altweilnau e.V. takes care of the castle ruins in the middle of the village and invites you to travel back in time to the significant era of the Staufen emperors and their followers.
