Gollenfels, Medieval castle in Dörrebach, Germany

Gollenfels is a medieval castle perched on a hilltop in the Hunsrück mountains near Dörrebach, built with strong defensive walls and a rectangular tower. The remains still command views across the valley and surrounding countryside.

According to tradition, Gollenfels was built in the 10th or 11th century on the foundations of a Roman fort guarding the road from Mainz to Trier, though no reliable sources support this. The castle is first documented in 1156, with another mention dated 5 April 1191; in 1450 Johann von Stein is named as a resident. In 1614, during the Jülich-Klevian succession dispute, Spanish troops destroyed it on the orders of Emperor Matthias of Habsburg. A new castle was built on the site in 1619 and survived a battle against French troops in 1793.

The name Gollenfels comes from the rock above the Guldenbach valley, not from a noble family. In 1450 Johann von Stein (Steinkallenfels) is recorded as a resident. Since 2002 the castle has been unsafe and closed, and it is privately owned.

The castle is in private ownership and has been unsafe to enter since 2002, so it cannot be visited. It stands on the Gollenfels rock at 285 m above sea level above the Guldenbach valley, opposite the Stromburg, on the edge of the Soonwald near Dörrebach. Views of the structure are possible from the surrounding heights.

The castle was rebuilt in 1619 and survived a hard-fought battle against French troops in 1793, after which it lost its strategic role. In 1848 it was converted into quarters for soldiers and remained inhabited until a few years after the Second World War. Since 2002 it has been unsafe and closed off.