Photos of Wegelnburg
About Wegelnburg
Wegelnburg is a ruined castle that cuts directly into a rocky, forested ridge just a few hundred metres from the French border. The castle dates back to the early 1200s and uniquely it was built so that the lower, middle and upper sections step up the rocky hillside. French troops destroyed it in the 1680s and flattened the top of the upper castle so most of what still survives today are the sections that were carved directly into the stone. Chambers that were originally hollowed out of the cliff still have their round arched doorways and square window openings. Plus if you look closely you'll find beam holes, niches, Gothic door frames and an old well shaft as you explore the ruins. Modern railings and stairs take you up to a platform on the summit rock that opens to a wide view over the Palatinate Forest and across to the Northern Vosges in France. The carved stairways and dark doorways make strong frames on their own, and the summit gives you rolling forest in every direction. Low morning or evening light deepens the red of the sandstone plus a layer of mist often fills the valley to add a moodiness to your compositions. Well marked trails lead up to the ruins from both Schönau, and from Nothweiler on the other side. Entry is free, but make sure to check whether the ruins are open before a winter or early spring visit. (Schönau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)
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