Sponheim Castle

Germany, Germany

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Sponheim Castle is a medieval ruin in Burgsponheim, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, on the edge of the Hunsrück mountains overlooking the Ellerbach stream.

Likely built in the 11th century and first documented in 1127, it served from the 12th century as the original residence of the powerful Counts of Sponheim, who expanded it significantly before the county's partition in the early 13th century reduced its prominence.

Besieged and damaged by Spanish troops under Ambrogio Spinola in 1620 during the Thirty Years' War, substantial remnants like a 22-meter-high bergfried tower with 2-meter-thick walls, partial ring walls, and a chapel survive on its 150-meter crag for public hiking access.