Burg Frauenstein, Medieval castle in Wiesbaden-Frauenstein, Germany

Burg Frauenstein is a castle ruin set on a quartzite rock formation near Wiesbaden, with standing sections of defensive walls, crenellations, and a watchtower still visible. The site also preserves the remains of a fore-castle that sat in front of the main keep, giving the complex a two-part layout that is still readable today.

The castle was built around 1180, a date confirmed by dendrochronological studies of the timber used in its construction. Over the following centuries it went through several building phases, each one changing the defensive layout of the site.

The name Vrouwensteyn, first recorded in 1221, combines "Stein" (the stone keep of a noble court) with "Vrouwe", probably the Virgin Mary rather than a secular lady. The tower guards rang a bell to warn the village below; the gatekeepers of the upper and lower gates then barred them, and runners fetched help from allied knights.

The ruin sits on a rocky hill and can only be reached on foot, so sturdy footwear is a good idea given the uneven ground and steep sections. There is little signage once you arrive, so a quick look at a map before setting out makes the visit easier to navigate.

Excavations carried out in the 1940s uncovered a pond structure beyond the outer walls, most likely used for water storage or as part of the defensive system. This find shows that the original footprint of the site was noticeably larger than what the standing ruins suggest.