Burg Meistersel

Burg Meistersel is a rock castle perched on a roughly 490-meter-high hill overlooking the Modenbach valley, with remaining sections of medieval curtain walls and defensive structures still visible. The ruins display typical construction methods from the era and offer views across the surrounding landscape from this elevated position.

The castle was built in the 11th century during the Salian period, making it one of the oldest fortifications in the Palatinate. It was constructed as part of the defensive strategy that shaped the region at that time.

The name combines German words for master and hall, suggesting it may have served as a residence for imperial chamberlains working at nearby Trifels Castle. Visitors exploring the ruins today can sense this formal administrative role the site once held.

Access is via a marked forest trail that runs roughly 600 meters from the parking area at Drei Buchen to the castle site. The path winds through the Palatinate Forest and is easy to follow, though it does involve a steady climb to reach the top.

Bronze Age artifacts discovered at the site reveal that humans inhabited the area long before the medieval castle was built. These ancient finds suggest the location held strategic value for settlement across many centuries.

Location: Rhineland-Palatinate

Inception: 1000

GPS coordinates: 49.27560,8.02500

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:49