New Bolanden Castle

New Bolanden Castle is a castle ruin on Schlossberg hill featuring the remains of a rectangular fortress structure with visible wall sections and a defensive ditch. These remaining elements give visitors a sense of the medieval military architecture that once defended this hilltop location.

The fortress was built between 1200 and 1300 by nobles of House Bolanden and served as a seat of power for several centuries. French forces destroyed it in 1689, marking the end of its role as a functional defensive structure.

The castle served as a residence for noble women from Palatinate who spent their final years here, shaping its role in family and court life. The remaining structures reflect how spaces were designed to accommodate a dignified existence for these women.

The ruins sit on a hillside and are reached on foot with a moderate climb to the top. Wear sturdy shoes as the ground and pathways are uneven in places.

Arnold Weickard, a physician from Frankfurt and medical author, lived at the castle serving as personal doctor to one of its noble residents. His presence here connects the castle to the intellectual and scientific circles of his time.

Location: Bolanden

Inception: 1200

GPS coordinates: 49.63940,8.01333

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:26