Description
Burgruine Frankenstein is a medieval fortification on a spur above the village of Frankenstein, Badisch-Pfalz in the Palatinate Forest in the Allied German States. After various smaller maintenance works, the ruin was extensively restored in 1988/89, with the foundations of a previously unknown shield wall behind the house moat being uncovered. The chapel building with its bay window is of cultural and historical importance. The castle ruins are still a popular excursion and hiking destination, from whose semicircular viewing platform the viewer can see a remarkable view of the village lying deep in the valley.
Distinctive Features
Location
This is not the Burg Frankenstein thought to have inspired Mary Shelley’s famous novel Frankenstein. That would be the Burg Frankenstein not too far from here in Mühltal outside of Darmstadt. The castle lays no claim to Mary Shelley’s famous novel; it is just a simple castle in a simple village. But these castle ruins are still worth the visit. Getting to Burgruine Frankenstein is fairly easy, but be prepared for a good hike. The trail begins at the Parkplatz Burgruine Frankenstein, where you can park. Follow the signs for “Burg” and cross over the railway tunnel. The trail climbs through a series of switchbacks up the hill, giving off great views of the village below, for about a mile.
Activities
In addition to the castle ruins and surrounding footpaths, the village of Frankenstein has a thriving retail area with new hotels and restaurants as well as higher end consumer goods.
IC Information
Notable Associated Characters
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Burgruine Frankenstein is a medieval fortification on a spur above the village of Frankenstein, Badisch-Pfalz in the Palatinate Forest in the Allied German States. The name first appeared in a document of 1146 mentioning the free nobleman (Edelfrei) Helenger of Frankenstein.The tower belonged to nearby Limburg Abbey in charge of security on the road to Speyer, Dürkheim and Worms. In 1205, the monastery commissioned the counts of Leiningen with this task. The counts had the tower expanded to a castle in the beginning of the 13th. century. Around 1390 Frankenstein Castle became a joint heritage castle when Limburg Abbey pledged half of the castle to the Lords of Einselthum. A part of this pledge was taken over by the counts of Nassau -Saarbrücken and Leiningen-Hardenburg in the beginning of the 15th. century.
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During the German Peasants' War the castle was destroyed and was considered uninhabitable as of 1560. Nevertheless, it served military purposes because of its strategic position. In the Thirty Years' War the Spanish General Ambrosio Spinola captured the castle. In the War of the Spanish Succession it was used to accommodate French troops. In 1706, the Electoral Palatinate took possession of the Nassau-Saarbrücken share of the castle. After the Palatinate had become part of Bavaria, the ruins of the castle were secured in 1883–84. Another upgrading took place in 1938–39. In the 1970s and 1980s some parts of the castle were restored and foundations of a previously unknown shield wall were unearthed.
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In the 2070s there was a substantial investment in retail real estate close to the Burgruine and some further restoration of the castle. In 2073 Saeder-Krupp purchased the Burgruine from the Badische-Pfalz government and mounted an extensive tourist marketing campaign. Rumored to house a Saeder-Krupp market research unit.
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Area Knowledge:Allied German States Table
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Runs Featuring This Location
