Altdahn Castle near Dahn, Dahner Felsenland (Dahn Rockland), Palatinate Forest, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

© Reinhard Schmid/Huber/eStock Phot

A rock castle in the Palatinate Forest

Altdahn Castle, the ruins of a rock castle built in the 13th century, is located near the small town of Dahn in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Over the centuries the castle took large amounts of damage during wars and attacks, but was always rebuilt until French troops finally destroyed it completely in 1689 at the start of the War of the Palatine Succession.

Today, a museum sits where the castle once stood. The exhibition includes finds from past centuries as well as paintings from the famous composer Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, who visited the area back in 1844 and painted the castle ruins during his stay.