Where is the Burg Rappelstein located?

It is located in Schmallenberg, in the Hochsauerlandkreis in North Rhine-Westphalia, above the village of Nordenau.

When was the Burg Rappelstein built?

It was built around 1260 by the lords of Grafschaft under the name Burg Nordena.

Why is the Burg Rappelstein in ruins?

Disputes between the counts of Waldeck and the Archbishop of Cologne led to its gradual decline from the 14th century onward.

What can be seen at the Burg Rappelstein today?

Visitors mainly find its keep and a viewpoint over Nordenau and the Nesselbach valley.

Burg Rappelstein

Rappelstein Castle

Schmallenberg

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Where: Schmallenberg

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Burg Rappelstein stands in Schmallenberg (Hochsauerlandkreis), in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The building is a listed Baudenkmal. Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

The Burg Rappelstein stands in ruins above Nordenau, a district of Schmallenberg in the Hochsauerlandkreis. Founded around 1260 by the lords of Grafschaft as Burg Nordena, it once guarded the old military road linking Cologne to Leipzig via Kassel. Abandoned from the 14th century onward following disputes between the counts of Waldeck and the Archbishop of Cologne, it still retains its keep, visible from afar above the village church. Restored to halt further decay, the ruin now serves as a viewing platform over Nordenau, the Nesselbach valley and the so called land of a thousand hills.

What to know

The site can be visited freely, in the open air, mainly as a viewpoint over the valley.
Access is via a path leading uphill from the village of Nordenau.
It is a partial ruin, with the keep remaining the most visible structure.
The site is listed as a Baudenkmal in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Where this château is

Schmallenberg · Hochsauerlandkreis · Nordrhein-Westfalen

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Heinrich-Köppler-Platz 3, 57392 Schmallenberg

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

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4.6 / 5from 17 Google reviews

Heritage status: Baudenkmal in Nordrhein-Westfalen

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Frequently asked

Where is the Burg Rappelstein located?: It is located in Schmallenberg, in the Hochsauerlandkreis in North Rhine-Westphalia, above the village of Nordenau.
When was the Burg Rappelstein built?: It was built around 1260 by the lords of Grafschaft under the name Burg Nordena.
Why is the Burg Rappelstein in ruins?: Disputes between the counts of Waldeck and the Archbishop of Cologne led to its gradual decline from the 14th century onward.
What can be seen at the Burg Rappelstein today?: Visitors mainly find its keep and a viewpoint over Nordenau and the Nesselbach valley.