Kastellaun Castle

Kastellaun Castle ruins are on the castle hill above the town of Kastellaun and are connected to the former wall of the town. Constructed in the 13th century, the castle is first mentioned in 1226 as Kestilun, a possession of the Count of Sponheim. In 1301 it was the residence of Simon II, Count of Sponheim-Kreuznach.

In 1321, Archbishop Baldwin of Trier besieged the castle. In 1325 he built the neighbouring Burg Balduinseck as a challenge to Sponheim.

After Walram of Sponheim-Kreuznach abandoned Kastellaun in 1340, the castle was administered by bailiffs and burgmänner. The line of the counts of Sponheim subsequently died out and the castle descended with the title to Bernhard II, Margrave of Baden and Count Friedrich of Veldenz, who ruled jointly in a 'condominium'.

The last Count of Veldenz died in 1444 and his share of the rulership passed to his son-in-law Stephen, Count Palatine of Simmern-Zweibrücken. This drew the Rear County of Sponheim into the Palatine sphere of influence, involving it in war and the possession of the Palatinate.

In 1594 Edward Fortunatus retreated to Castle Kastellaun after losing the Margravate of Baden, and it became a residence again.

During the Thirty Years' War, from 1618 to 1648, the castle was occupied. During the War of the Palatine Succession, in 1689, it was destroyed by French troops and was not rebuilt.

In 1820 the ruins came into private hands. In 1884 the municipality of Kastellaun bought them and made the first repairs to stabilise them. From 1990 to 1993 the hill and the ruins there were cleaned up. The lower castle and access were restored.

Today the former palas (residential building with the great hall) is used as an open-air stage for theatrical performances.

Architecture

The castle consists of an inner and outer baileys. The inner ward includes the remains of the defensive bergfried, the enceinte and two residential buildings. The older east building dates to the 14th century; excavations in 1990-93 uncovered its cellar. The ruin on the west side of the inner bailey that can be seen from far away is what remains of the east end of the palas and the adjacent rectangular powder tower. Both of these buildings were probably built no earlier than the 16th century. On the east side, facing the town, there is a secondary defensive wall or zwinger. In the outer bailey, two modern buildings now stand on old foundations. Originally entry to the castle was by way of a gate tower in the north corner. The current entrance is modern.

References:

• Wikipedia

Address

Schlossstraße 13, Kastellaun, Germany

Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Hohenstaufen Dynasty (Germany)