Welcome to the Hartenfels castle ruins
The Hartenfels castle ruins are visible from afar, sitting on a basalt cliff above the village bearing the same name. Together with the village of Hartenfels, the castle was founded back in the Salian era to protect the old hilltop route from Frankfurt to Cologne.
The tall, well-preserved castle keep on the clifftop is particularly impressive. It is known locally as the ‘Schmanddippe’ or ‘cream pot’ thanks to its resemblance to a big cream or butter barrel. The high entrance and the vaulted dungeon are features typical of the time it was built.
Once you have admired the Salian architecture, don’t forget to enjoy the wonderful views over the Westerwald.
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
Burgruine Hartenfels
56244 Gemeinde Hartenfels
__
Hartenfels castle ruins are 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 Hartenfels castle ruins. Thank you for your understanding.
Visible from afar, the keep of Hartenfels Castle is enthroned on a basalt rock in the heart of the Westerwald.
The castle was first mentioned in 1249 in connection with several successive ownership changes. In the middle of the 13th century, the Archbishops of Trier acquired and extensively expanded it into an important border outpost protecting their territory. The village of Hartenfels at the foot of the castle was also affected by these measures, as an office of the Electorate of Trier was established there. Hartenfels was granted town privileges in the 14th century.
The high, well-preserved keep at the top is particularly impressive. Thanks to its resemblance to a butter or cream churn, it is also locally known as the “Schmanddippe“. It has four storeys, which are accessed via a high entrance at second-storey level.
The tower cannot be climbed. However, a number of remains of the former Castle ring and its semi-circular shell towers can still be discovered on site.
Tourist-Information Selters
Am Saynbach 5-7
56242 Selters
Phone +49 2626 76458
touristik(at)selters-ww.de
www.selters-ww.de