Ramstein Castle, Medieval castle ruins near Kordel, Germany.
Ramstein Castle is a ruined castle set on a sandstone rock within the Meulenwald forest, near Kordel in Rhineland-Palatinate. An oval inner courtyard survives, enclosed by sections of wall and the remains of corner towers.
The castle was built in the early 14th century by Archbishop Diether of Nassau, replacing an older fortified estate on the same site. It was destroyed by French troops in 1689 during the War of the Palatine Succession and never rebuilt.
The ruins sit within the Meulenwald forest and draw walkers and day-trippers from nearby villages on weekends. The surviving wall sections still outline the shape of the old courtyard, making the layout easy to read even without a guide.
The site is reached by a forest path through Meulenwald, and the final approach climbs a steep rocky slope. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, as the ground inside the ruins is uneven and some steps are worn down.
The castle was not a seat of independent nobles but an administrative outpost of the Archbishopric of Trier, managed by appointed officials. This makes it an unusual example of a church-run fortification rather than a private lordly stronghold.
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