Berwartstein Castle, Medieval castle in Erlenbach bei Dahn, Germany
Berwartstein is a rock castle built on a sandstone formation in the Palatinate Forest near Erlenbach bei Dahn. The structure combines carved rock chambers with masonry and features several towers, a vaulted hall, and passages cut into the stone.
The castle first appears in historical records in 1152 when Emperor Frederick Barbarossa granted it to the Bishop of Speyer. Over several centuries it was expanded and modified, eventually becoming the structure visitors see today.
The castle shows how medieval inhabitants carved living and defensive spaces directly into the rock face. The rooms and passages built into the sandstone reveal practical construction methods from that era.
The castle is accessible only through guided tours, most offered in German, which take visitors through the various levels and chambers. Plan for uneven ground and steep steps, as the structure is carved into and built upon the rock.
The original entrance was through a chimney opening on the southeast cliff face, where visitors once had to climb a rope ladder. This dramatic approach shows how well the castle was protected from surprise attacks.
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