Castle Grafendahn, Rock castle in Dahn, Germany.
Castle Grafendahn is a castle ruin perched on a sandstone ridge between Altdahn and Tanstein. The site still contains remains of living quarters, old well structures, and paved areas that reflect medieval occupation.
Conrad of Mursel, a vassal of the bishops of Speyer, built the fortress in 1287 as a fortified residence. The castle was part of the network of strongholds that secured the bishops' authority in the Palatinate.
The fortress served as a stronghold for several noble families to secure their power in the region. The remaining walls show the craftsmanship of stoneworkers who built robust structures into the sandstone.
The ruin is accessible via multiple hiking trails through the Palatinate Forest from Dahn train station. Sturdy footwear is necessary as the paths involve steep climbs and uneven terrain with roots and stones.
The fortress is often overlooked because it is smaller than the neighboring castles Altdahn and Tanstein, yet sits strategically between them. The location gave the medieval garrison excellent views of all access routes into the valley.
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