Ramstein Castle

Ramstein Castle, locally known as Burg Ramstein, lies south of the town of Kordel, in the Rhineland-Palatinate region in Germany.

Ramstein Castle was built on a 182-meter-high sandstone rock in a valley near the confluence of the Butzerbach stream and the Kyll river.

A first fortification at this site was built at the beginning of the 10th century. Building of Ramstein Castle, a fortified tower house, started in the first decade of the 14th century by Diether von Nassau, Archbishop and Prince-Elector of Trier. It was finished in 1317 by Diether's successor; Baldwin of Luxembourg. The next hundred years the castle was given as a fief to several deans and other subject of the Electorate of Trier.

In 1417 Ramstein Castle was occupied by Bernhard von Orley, who claimed ownership. This caused the castle to be besieged by Archbishop Jakob I von Sierck. Although the dispute was finally settled in court in favor of the Archbishop, the castle had been damaged considerably. Financial resources were scarce and the castle dilapidated.

In 1488 it was again repaired by the Chorbishop Dietrich von Stein. During the 16th century Ramstein Castle was possibly the home of Richard von Greiffenklau zu Vollrads, Archbishop and Prince-Elector of Trier.

In 1674 the castle was occupied for a year by the French troops of Louis XIV of France, before being taken back by imperial troops. After that it was strengthened. In 1689, however, it was again taken by French troops. This time they set the castle on fire and blew up two corners. Since then, the castle has been a ruin.

The outbuilding was rebuilt and inhabited by the bailiff. In 1786 this outbuilding was also again destroyed by fire. Afterwards it was again rebuilt.

In 1794 French revolutionary troops invaded the region. The outbuilding and castle ruin were confiscated and in 1803 sold at an auction. In 1826 they were bought by the same family that still owns them today. As early as 1870 the outbuilding was used as an inn, a function it still serves today.

At present Ramstein Castle is private property of the same family that runs the hotel-restaurant. Due to meager financial means, the ruin has fallen into disrepair and can not be visited anymore at the moment. A beautiful ruin on a great location. Hopefully the owners will find sufficient funds to make it safe to visit again, so I recommend being a guest of their hotel-restaurant.

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Ramstein Castle

Ramstein Castle, locally known as Burg Ramstein, lies south of the town of Kordel, in the Rhineland-Palatinate region in Germany.

Ramstein Castle was built on a 182-meter-high sandstone rock in a valley near the confluence of the Butzerbach stream and the Kyll river.

A first fortification at this site was built at the beginning of the 10th century. Building of Ramstein Castle, a fortified tower house, started in the first decade of the 14th century by Diether von Nassau, Archbishop and Prince-Elector of Trier. It was finished in 1317 by Diether's successor; Baldwin of Luxembourg. The next hundred years the castle was given as a fief to several deans and other subject of the Electorate of Trier.

In 1417 Ramstein Castle was occupied by Bernhard von Orley, who claimed ownership. This caused the castle to be besieged by Archbishop Jakob I von Sierck. Although the dispute was finally settled in court in favor of the Archbishop, the castle had been damaged considerably. Financial resources were scarce and the castle dilapidated.

In 1488 it was again repaired by the Chorbishop Dietrich von Stein. During the 16th century Ramstein Castle was possibly the home of Richard von Greiffenklau zu Vollrads, Archbishop and Prince-Elector of Trier.

In 1674 the castle was occupied for a year by the French troops of Louis XIV of France, before being taken back by imperial troops. After that it was strengthened. In 1689, however, it was again taken by French troops. This time they set the castle on fire and blew up two corners. Since then, the castle has been a ruin.

The outbuilding was rebuilt and inhabited by the bailiff. In 1786 this outbuilding was also again destroyed by fire. Afterwards it was again rebuilt.

In 1794 French revolutionary troops invaded the region. The outbuilding and castle ruin were confiscated and in 1803 sold at an auction. In 1826 they were bought by the same family that still owns them today. As early as 1870 the outbuilding was used as an inn, a function it still serves today.

At present Ramstein Castle is private property of the same family that runs the hotel-restaurant. Due to meager financial means, the ruin has fallen into disrepair and can not be visited anymore at the moment. A beautiful ruin on a great location. Hopefully the owners will find sufficient funds to make it safe to visit again, so I recommend being a guest of their hotel-restaurant.

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Details
Hits: 11596