Nanstein Castle

Nanstein Castle (German: Burg Nanstein) is a ruin in south-western Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany and landmark of the Sickingen Town of Landstuhl. The red sandstone rock castle dates from the 12th century and was once owned by Franz von Sickingen, who was mortally wounded during a siege of the castle in 1523.

Nanstein Castle
Native name
German: Burg Nanstein
LocationBurgweg 1
66849 Landstuhl, Germany
Coordinates49°24′35.4″N 7°34′24.9″E
Builtc. 1162
Built forFrederick Barbarossaa
WebsiteNanstein Castle
Location of Nanstein Castle in Germany

History
Franz von Sickingen

Nanstein Castle was built circa 1162 for Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. The medieval hill (spur) castle, situated above a 49 feet (15 m) high sandstone ledge, was part of the Hohenstaufen defenses guarding imperial lands in the south-western Palatinate.[1]

Imperial Knight and Protestant reformer Franz von Sickingen modernized the castle in the 16th century and turned it into a citadel that was supposed to withstand the artillery of the age. In 1523 (during the so-called "Knights' Revolt"),[1] the castle was besieged by the Archbishop of Trier, Palatine Elector Louis V, and Landgrave of Hesse. Sickingen fell mortally wounded during the siege.[2]

Sickingen's sons received the partially destroyed castle back from Elector Louis V in 1542 (as a feudal tenure), and immediately rebuilt it in a Renaissance style. In 1668, the Elector Charles Louis captured the restored castle and had it partially destroyed.[1] French troops destroyed other parts in 1689. In the following centuries several repairs were made, but it remains a castle ruin.[2]

References
  1. "Nanstein Castle, Landstuhl". Kreisverwaltung Kaiserslautern. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  2. "Nanstein Castle". Verbandsgemeinde Landstuhl. Retrieved July 25, 2021.

Further reading
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