Frankenstein Castle, Medieval castle in Mühltal, Germany
Frankenstein Castle is a medieval fortress in Mühltal within the Odenwald hills, perched at 370 meters (1,214 feet) above the surrounding forests. Two preserved towers and sections of the 13th-century curtain wall define the appearance of the site.
Lord Conrad II Reiz of Breuberg built the fortress before 1250 as the seat of an imperial barony under direct rule of the emperor. In the 17th century, the alchemist Johann Konrad Dippel used the site for his experiments, which may have inspired Mary Shelley's novel.
The fortress takes its name from a medieval noble family who ruled here for centuries and shaped the character of the region. Visitors today can walk through the preserved walls and see the thick stone defenses that once represented protection and authority.
The site opens from sunrise to sunset and can be explored on foot, with sturdy shoes recommended for the stone pathways. A restaurant with an observation deck offers a chance to rest while overlooking the forested hills of the region.
After World War II, American soldiers began celebrating Halloween here, leading to Germany's largest Halloween festival. This tradition has continued to the present day and draws thousands of visitors to the hilltop each year.
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