Scharfenberg Castle, Rock castle in Annweiler, Germany.
Scharfenberg Castle is a ruin in the Palatinate located on a wooded hillside. The remains show a compact layout with walls made of rough stone, typical of medieval hill fortresses.
The castle was built in the first half of the 12th century under Conrad III and served first as a state prison. It was part of the strategy to keep the region under Hohenstaufen control.
The castle draws hikers exploring the region and walking through the group of fortifications together. It represents medieval settlement in this forested area and attracts visitors seeking to experience the history of the Palatinate firsthand.
The ruin is reachable via hiking paths that also lead to neighboring castles. Visitors should wear good shoes since the terrain is steep.
The castle name Scharfenberg is less known than its neighboring fortress Trifels, even though it belongs to the same group. This site was strategically designed as an outpost and is often overlooked today by visitors heading straight to the more famous complex.
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