Why is Trifels Castle famous?

It served for two centuries as an Imperial castle of the Holy Roman Empire, and Richard the Lionheart was held there for three weeks in 1193.

Is the castle originally medieval?

No, most of today's buildings date from 20th century reconstructions built on partial medieval remains.

Are the real imperial regalia displayed there?

No, they are replicas, the originals being kept at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

Is the castle easy to reach?

The castle sits on a rocky outcrop above Annweiler, so reaching it on foot requires a fairly sustained climb.

Trifels Castle

Annweiler am Trifels

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Where: Annweiler am Trifels

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château de Langenberg (Langenberg Castle)ouverture uniquement lors de dates ponctuelles18 km

Reichsburg Trifels stands in Annweiler am Trifels (Landkreis Südliche Weinstraße), in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The building is a listed Baudenkmal. Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

Trifels Castle rises on a split red sandstone rock above the Queich valley, deep in the Palatinate Forest. Its fame rests on two centuries as an Imperial castle during the 12th and 13th centuries and on the brief but well known imprisonment of Richard the Lionheart in 1193. What visitors see today are reconstructions carried out largely in the 20th century, along with replicas of the Imperial Regalia, the originals being kept in Vienna.

Written from Trifels Castle

What to know

The castle stands on a steep rock, and reaching it on foot from Annweiler involves a sustained climb.
The buildings seen today result from 20th century reconstructions and do not faithfully reflect the medieval original.
The imperial regalia displayed on site are replicas, the originals being kept in Vienna.
Two other ruined castles, Anebos and Scharfenberg, stand on neighbouring peaks and can round out a visit.
The site is listed as a Kulturdenkmal in Germany.

Where this château is

Annweiler am Trifels · Landkreis Südliche Weinstraße · Rheinland-Pfalz

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Annweiler am Trifels, Landkreis Südliche Weinstraße

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Heritage status: Kulturdenkmal in Deutschland

In pictures

Frequently asked

Why is Trifels Castle famous?: It served for two centuries as an Imperial castle of the Holy Roman Empire, and Richard the Lionheart was held there for three weeks in 1193.
Is the castle originally medieval?: No, most of today's buildings date from 20th century reconstructions built on partial medieval remains.
Are the real imperial regalia displayed there?: No, they are replicas, the originals being kept at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
Is the castle easy to reach?: The castle sits on a rocky outcrop above Annweiler, so reaching it on foot requires a fairly sustained climb.

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Sources

Identity, location and official references from Wikidata and the Mérimée register.

Within an hour’s drive

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