Schloss Friedelsheim, Castle ruin in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Schloss Friedelsheim is a ruined rectangular lowland castle that was rebuilt as a Renaissance palace from 1575. Only a few wall remains and the roughly 16-metre-high castle tower survive; the tower was restored in 1986/87 with an external staircase, a new roof and a viewing platform. Parts of the broad moat and portals of the later palace are also visible.

First documented in 1418, this fortification changed hands repeatedly through the centuries before French forces damaged it significantly in 1794. The destruction marked a turning point that left the site in its present ruined state.

The Mennonite church on the castle grounds was built between 1836 and 1838 and extensively renovated in 2004. A residential building within the castle area now serves the Mennonite congregation as a parsonage. The church stands directly among the ruins, so worship and medieval masonry share the same small site.

The structure underwent restoration in 1986 and features an external staircase and new roof for visitor access to the observation platform. Visitors should be prepared for uneven footing and the reward of extensive views across the region on clear days.

The 16-metre tower was restored in 1986/87, when it received an external staircase, a new roof and an observation platform. A Mennonite church was built on the castle grounds in 1836–1838 and extensively renovated in 2004; a residential building there now serves the congregation as a parsonage.