Trifels Castle, Medieval rock castle in Annweiler am Trifels, Germany
Trifels Castle rises on a red sandstone outcrop 500 meters (1,640 feet) above the Queich valley in the Palatinate Forest near Annweiler am Trifels. The stone fortress extends across several levels, with a cylindrical keep and walls that follow the shape of the mountain ridge.
Emperor Henry V designated this site as an Imperial Castle in 1113 and made it a central location for storing the crown jewels. The complex also served as a prison for high-ranking nobles, including Richard the Lionheart in 1193.
Replicas of the crown jewels inside show the symbols of power used by German emperors during medieval times. Visitors can see these ceremonial objects in a chamber that recalls the period when Trifels safeguarded the most valuable treasures of the realm.
Marked hiking trails lead up from Annweiler to the fortress, with the ascent taking about half an hour. Guided tours run throughout the year in several languages, and the rooms connect through stairways.
The fortress sits on three neighboring rock peaks, each of which once supported its own fortification. The middle outcrop holds the main stronghold, while the other two now show only ruins.
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