Burg Reichenstein, Castle ruins in Neckargemünd, Germany

Burg Reichenstein is a ruined hilltop castle on the Hollmuth, south above the old town of Neckargemünd, in the Sommerwiese and Mühlrain woods east of the Elsenz. Only original masonry survives in the south, interpreted as a shield wall with three visible construction layers; the gate visible today was built in 1934 from found stone fragments.

Burg Reichenstein was probably built in the early 13th century, after the Counts of Lauffen died out around 1216–1219, as an imperial castle guarding the lower Neckar against the Wittelsbach territory around Heidelberg. It is documented only from 1292 to 1355. In 1329 the Palatine electors redeemed the castle as a pledge, and it soon lost importance to nearby Dilsberg.

The name Reichenstein, "rich stone", marks it as an imperial castle built directly by the crown. From 1329 the castle was held by the Electors of the Palatinate, who pledged it out and let it lose ground to nearby Dilsberg. A chronicle by Hans Ulrich Landschad von Steinach around 1605 mentions a "Landschaden Burgkh" near Neckargemünd, probably this site, where the Landschad family also kept a manorial farm.

The site is accessible through marked paths, with parking available close to the entrance. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since access involves woodland trails.

The castle plateau was partly blown up in 1989 to build a water reservoir, so most walls visible today are not medieval: many were built in the 19th century as garden retaining walls or freely reconstructed. Original masonry survives only in the south, in a shield wall showing three construction layers.