Wegelnburg, Rock castle ruins in Palatinate Forest, Germany.
Wegelnburg is a rock castle ruin in the Palatinate Forest standing at about 570 meters elevation with three wards that are still partly visible. The castle features preserved stone walls, gateways, and foundation remnants that show its original layout.
The castle was founded in the 12th century by the Hohenstaufen dynasty and served as a border fortress between territories. French troops destroyed it in 1679, leaving it in ruins.
The castle shows how builders carved staircases, gateways, and rooms directly from the sandstone to create a fortification. This method of working with natural rock was common for defensive structures in this region and made the castle blend with its surroundings.
The ruin is reachable by hiking trails starting from nearby villages or from Fleckenstein castle, with walks of less than an hour. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for changing weather since the terrain is rocky and exposed.
Several natural rock caves are integrated into the castle structure and connect different levels of the fortress. The builders used these existing formations as part of their defensive design rather than building everything from scratch.
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