In another valley basin between Hochwald and the Nahe Valley lies
the administrative center of Birkenfeld and the surrounding
"Birkenfeld Land", the land on the upper Nahe River, which looks
back upon a great and eventful history. The most settled part,
which was first mentioned as a town in the year 981
("Birkenvelt"), lies upon a sandstone ridge with a northeast to
southwest orientation, which is separated from the castle mountain
in the southeast by a hollow. The medieval castle Birkenfeld (first
mentioned in the year 1293, but probably much older) was expanded
and remodeled towards the end of 16th century to a Renaissance
castle. There is a wonderful view over the town from the tower in
the north ring wall. The classical "new castle" (Neue Schloss)
dates from the time of the Oldenburgs, when the Birkenfeld land
was added to the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg in the year 1817. It
sits far from the original castle mountain on a hill in the middle of
the town and is today the administrative center. Not far from the
new castle lies the
Birkenfelder Museum,
which is built in the
style of a Roman country villa. It contains a prehistoric and
early historical collection that is well worth seeing in addition
to a well-developed section devoted to local studies and folklore.
Photo: City centre of Birkenfeld with the main street.