Oberburg Driedorf, castle ruin

Oberburg Driedorf is a castle ruin on the northwestern edge of Driedorf in the Westerwald. Its ring wall and five towers once joined the town wall. Today a rectangular bergfried with a passage into the town walling and remains of the ring wall survive; the restored ruin is a Hessian cultural monument.

The castle was founded around 1303 or 1305 by the Nassau family and played a key role in defending and administering the growing town. Over several centuries, various noble families controlled it until fires in 1635, 1672, and 1812 caused severe damage that left it in ruins.

The name Oberburg refers to its former role as the upper castle of the town. The square bergfried tower and remaining walls still show how the structure served to defend the settlement and display the power of local rulers.

The ruins can be viewed free of charge from the public street, as the site is on private land. Visitors can explore the exterior and take photographs from nearby hiking and cycling trails that connect the ruin with various routes through the Westerwald region.

The surviving square bergfried, called the upper tower, stands at the northwestern edge of Driedorf and once joined directly to the town wall. The ring wall of the castle linked with the town fortifications and five towers, so the castle and town formed one defensive line. The tower is privately owned and can only be seen from the street.