Altenbaumburg

The Altenbaumburg is a ruined spur castle standing on a ridge above the village of Altenbamberg in the Alsenztal valley of Rhineland-Palatinate. It was the ancestral seat of the Raugrafen, a medieval noble family. The site commands views over the surrounding countryside from its elevated position. The castle’s history is marked by disputes and decline. By the 14th century it had become a Ganerbenburg, shared among multiple owners. Financial troubles led to pledges and eventual transfer of most of the complex to the Palatinate counts. Parts were dismantled in the late 15th century for building materials elsewhere. After occupation during the Thirty Years’ War, it was finally ruined by French troops in 1689. Visitors today see three distinct sections. The eastern upper ward preserves a tall, thin shield wall and two towers, one still rising 18 metres. A low mound marks the base of the former keep, now only four metres high. The middle ward, smallest of the three, has a restored curtain wall and remnants of a house gable. The lower ward, the largest, contains a reconstructed hall that now houses a restaurant, a cellar entrance, a well shaft and a small chapel. A modern staircase tower and viewing platform give access to the upper levels.