Burg Herrnstein, Medieval castle in Ruppichteroth, Germany

Burg Herrnstein is a hilltop castle above the Bröl valley in Ruppichteroth, built on the southern flank of a rock cone that rises about 25 metres above the courtyard. Its upper storeys of the eastern gable wall of the manor house are half-timbered, set between the side walls so that the depth of the northern shield wall and the stepped southern wall remain visible. A gatehouse with two original towers dominates the moderate southern ascent, and large ponds in an old arm of the Bröl lie about ten metres below the courtyard.

Burg Herrnstein grew from a fortified house built around 1300 by the lords vam Steyne. A contract of 15 November 1370 first records the huys zome Steyne, when Johann von Stein received it as a fief from Count Wilhelm II of Berg. From 1436 the estate belonged to the lords of Nesselrode. Around 1800 large parts were demolished and rebuilt, and work through the 19th century gave the castle its present form.

The castle shows medieval building styles through its half-timbered structures and hilltop position, which made defense of the region easier. Visitors can still see this construction method today in the outer walls and how the buildings are arranged.

The castle is privately owned and cannot be visited inside, but the exterior and grounds offer good photo opportunities. Visitors should explore from outside and use the hilltop location to view the whole structure clearly.

The castle moat is still original and once completely surrounded both the main building and the separate gate building. This water feature is a rare element that shows medieval defense strategy.