Welcome to the Frauenburg castle ruins
Countess Loretta of Sponheim, after whom Frauenburg Castle is named, is one of the most colourful female figures of the Middle Ages. As a young widow, she steered the destiny of the county from 1524 onwards on behalf of her under-age son. There were a number of disputes over territory where she was forced to lock horns with Prince-Elector Balduin of Luxembourg and Archbishop of Trier, then one of the most influential men in Europe. Loretta did not shy away from taking this powerful man captive. Some of the ransom money undoubtedly went towards the Frauenburg, where the countess had chosen to live in her widowhood.
The castle was last extensively renovated between 2013 and 2015. The east side is particularly impressive, with its two round towers at different heights and its massive shield wall.
The ruins are open all year round and free to access.
No winter service on site.
Please inform yourself about current weather warnings before your visit.
Address
Ruine Frauenburg
55776 Frauenberg
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The Frauenburg is a historical site of the Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz (General Directorate for Cultural Heritage Rhineland‑Palatinate), www.gdke.rlp.de.
Regrettably, as it is a historic site, there is no disabled access to Frauenburg castle ruins. Thank you for your understanding.
The Frauenburg is a secluded Castle in the forest, not far from the upper Nahe Valley. It was named after Countess Loretta von Sponheim, one of the most colourful female figures of the Middle Ages.
As a young widow, she steered the fate of the county for her underage son from 1324. Territorial disputes led to a trial of strength with one of the most influential men in Europe at the time: the Elector Balduin of Luxembourg, Archbishop of Trier. Loretta was not afraid to have the powerful man taken prisoner.
The exact date of construction of the Castle is unknown, but a document from 1327 shows that it was already completed at this time.
Today, there is no information About possible structural changes since the late Middle Ages. Details on the decay of the complex are also unknown. By the 19th century at the latest, it was nothing more than a ruin. It was last extensively renovated between 2013 and 2015.
The east side is particularly impressive with its two round towers of different heights and the well-preserved massive shield wall.
Tourismusinformation Baumholder
Am Weiherdamm 1
55774 Baumholder
Phone +49 6783 8116
tourismus(at)vgv-baumholder.de