Schloss Alsbach, Counter-castle in Alsbach-Hähnlein, Hesse, Germany

Schloss Alsbach is a counter-castle above Alsbach-Hähnlein, built on a triangular plan with a ring wall and a narrow zwinger. Its restored round bergfried, 19.3 m high and 11 m in diameter, stands free within the wall; a stone stair and wooden bridge lead to its entrance at 7.9 m, and a spiral stair continues to a platform at 16.9 m.

The Lords of Bickenbach built this defensive fortification around 1235 as a response to regional power struggles. The earliest written records of its existence appear between 1241 and 1245.

The castle transforms during Pentecost into a marketplace where artisans display their work and demonstrate traditional crafts throughout the grounds. Visitors experience how people once lived and worked through these hands-on demonstrations.

The castle sits about a 30-minute walk from the nearest public transport stop, though driving via the A5 and A67 highways provides a more direct route. Planning your travel in advance helps make the visit more comfortable.

The keep's entrance sits 7.9 metres above the ground: visitors climb a straight stone stair to the defensive wall, then cross a wooden bridge to reach the door. Below the entrance is the dungeon. Inside, a wooden spiral stair and, higher up, a stone stair lead to the viewing platform at 16.9 metres.