Burg Scharfenstein, Castle ruin in Kiedrich, Germany

Burg Scharfenstein is a ruined spur castle on a 230-metre-high hill above the road from Kiedrich to Hausen vor der Höhe. Its keep, 28 metres tall with a 9-metre base, survives; the high entrance at 7.60 metres is reached today by a modern metal stair. Inside, stone stairs run through the 3-metre-thick wall to a viewing platform.

Burg Scharfenstein was built in 1160 as a territorial castle under Archbishop Christian I of Buch of Mainz. From 1191 it was occupied by ministeriales who called themselves "von Scharfenstein"; the best-known family from here were the Kratz von Scharfenstein. In the 13th century it served several times as an archiepiscopal residence. From 1686 it became uninhabitable, and in 1962 the remaining buildings were removed.

The ruins display medieval defensive architecture that remains visible in the stonework today. This structure reflects the building methods typical of the Rhine-Main region during the Middle Ages.

You can reach the ruins via marked hiking paths that lead upward from Kiedrich. Parking is available at the base of the hill, and the climb is manageable on foot.

The ruins display traces of different construction phases, and some stones still bear medieval stonemason marks. These details offer insight into the working methods of medieval craftspeople.