Altdahn Castle, Rock castle in Dahn, Germany.
Altdahn is a castle ruin built across two large sandstone rock outcrops in the Palatinate Forest, spanning more than 100 meters. The site preserves the foundations of defensive towers, a residential building, and a watchtower, all integrated into the rock formations.
The castle was built in the early 1200s and suffered multiple destructions, including conflicts with neighboring lords in 1363 and attacks by French troops in 1689. These repeated assaults shaped the site over the centuries.
The castle displays medieval defensive towers with distinctive horseshoe-shaped bases and remnants of a residential hall typical of the period. These architectural choices reveal how the lords designed the space for protection and living.
Access is through the northeast entrance, where sections of the original gateway and a water-filled defensive ditch are still visible. Wear sturdy shoes, as the terrain is uneven and paths wind across rocky ground.
The site is part of a group of three nearby castles that together with Grafendahn and Tanstein formed a defensive line along a single rocky ridge. This close arrangement reveals how rulers of the time strategically positioned their fortifications to protect a region.
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