How old is Elmstein Castle?

It was likely built before the 13th century, first documented in 1194.

Why is Elmstein Castle a ruin?

Already damaged during the Peasants' War and the Thirty Years' War, it was finally destroyed in 1689 during the War of the Palatine Succession.

Can you go inside Elmstein Castle?

No, it is an open ruin with no roofed building or indoor rooms to visit.

Elmstein Castle

Elmstein

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Elmstein

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

Burg Elmstein stands in Elmstein (Landkreis Bad Dürkheim), in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The building is a listed Baudenkmal. No visits are on record for this building.

Elmstein Castle is a ruined hilltop fortress sitting on a rocky spur 290 metres high, overlooking the village of Elmstein and the Speyerbach valley in the Palatinate Forest. Built before the 13th century to guard the valley route, it was wrecked in the late 17th century during the War of the Palatine Succession and never rebuilt. What remains today are sections of the curtain wall, the palas and the shield wall, standing on the southwestern slope of the Schloßberg. The ruin is one of the stops on the local Felsenkönig audio trail.

Written from Elmstein Castle

What to know

This is an open-air ruin, with no rebuilt structure or indoor areas.
Reaching it involves a climb from the village of Elmstein, as the site sits on a rocky spur.
The site is listed as a Kulturdenkmal in Rhineland-Palatinate.
No verified information on opening hours, fees or accessibility is given here, so check locally before visiting.

Where this château is

Elmstein · Landkreis Bad Dürkheim · Rheinland-Pfalz

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Berggasse 8, 67471 Elmstein

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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3.5 / 5from 2 Google reviews

Heritage status: Kulturdenkmal in Rheinland-Pfalz

In pictures

Frequently asked

How old is Elmstein Castle?: It was likely built before the 13th century, first documented in 1194.
Why is Elmstein Castle a ruin?: Already damaged during the Peasants' War and the Thirty Years' War, it was finally destroyed in 1689 during the War of the Palatine Succession.
What remains can still be seen there?: Parts of the curtain wall, the palas and the shield wall still stand.
Can you go inside Elmstein Castle?: No, it is an open ruin with no roofed building or indoor rooms to visit.