a historical landmark above the twin wine town of Traben-Trarbach.
The castle was built in 1350 by the Count Johann III of Sponheim-Starkenburg.
In the War of the Polish Succession it was taken after three weeks' siege for the fourth and last time by the French
who destroyed it in July 1734. The castle was blown up, huge chunks of it have plunged into the valley beneath.
Of the castle, although only the western wall of the former keep remains, the foundations are largely intact.