Fortresses and castles

Innumerable Fortresses and castles can be found in the Nahe valley. They are all worth a visit and are especially inviting as they have been built in the most beautiful scenic settings. We will deal briefly with four of them here. First, there is the Kauzenburg which is the landmark of Bad Kreuznach, built in the mid 13th century. It was the seat of the Count (British: Earl) of Sponheim. Extensive cellars with barrel vaulting and cross vaulting cut into stone are still used today as wine cellars.

The Ebernburg at Bad Münster am Stein is situated at an exceedingly beautiful point in the Nahe valley, where the Alsenz flows into the Nahe. Here, one has a lovely view of the ruins of the Alte Baumburg, the Rheingrafenstein, the Rotenfelsen and beyond into the Nahe valley.

Further up the Nahe, high above the valley of the Simmerbach, rest the ruins of Dhaun castle, established around the year 1200 as a well fortified fortress for the Counts of the Nahe district. It was renovated about 1500. Generously redesigned starting in 1729, it was transformed into an extensive pleasure palace with large gardens modeled upon the French style.

Photo: Around the year 1200 Dhaun Castle was built high above the Simmerbach Valley as a fortified castle of the Wildgraves.