Top 20 Castles around Knöringen

The Trifelsblickhütte is operated by PWV-Gleisweiler. It is 550 m high and is one of the highest PWV huts. Food and drink is always available. The view of the Annweiler castles is downright spectacular from up here.

The construction of the Kropsburg goes back to the Staufer and is dated to around 1200; At that time, a whole ring of castles was built to shield the Reichsburg Trifels, which was about 20 km away. Similar to the Hambach Castle to the north and the Rietburg Castle to the south, the Kropsburg offered a wide view of the Rhine plain. Initially, the Kropsburg was the seat of a ministerial. It was later inherited by the descendants of the vassals and thus became the Ganerbenburg with several owners, who expanded it into an upper and a lower castle. A small dominion, which consisted of the towns of Sankt Martin, Maikammer and Winnweiler, belonged to the castle.[2] After the end of the Staufers in the second half of the 13th century, it came into the possession of the Bishopric of Speyer. This enfeoffed various noble houses with the Kropsburg, including those of Kropsberg, von Ochsenstein and von Odenbach. John III Chamberlain von Worms first acquired a house in Kropsburg in 1323 from his son-in-law, Merkel von Kropsburg. In 1345 he then bought his entire 50% share in the castle and associated goods. The descendants of John III. between 1393 and 1439 they also bought the second half of the Kropsburg, so that it now belonged exclusively to the family of the chamberlains from Worms.[3] From 1492 to 1531 Johann XXII was from this family. Chamberlain of Worms Lord of the Kropsburg and in St. Martin, where his magnificent tomb is preserved in the local Martinskirche. In 1522, the castle chapel St. Ägidius is mentioned in a document, for which Georg von Schwalbach, cathedral custodian and general vicar of the Speyer diocese, approved the safekeeping of the holy of holies. The chaplain of St. Martin also receives permission to work there as a pastor.[4] While the Kropsburg survived the turmoil of the Peasants' War and the Thirty Years' War almost unscathed in the 16th and 17th centuries, it was completely and finally destroyed by French troops in 1689 during the Palatinate War of Succession. In 1771 Jakob Amandus von Dalberg built a new stately home on the ruins of the lower castle. After remodeling and modernization, it later operated as a restaurant until it closed. The new restaurant built on the site is known for its panoramic view over the Rhine plain. from Wikipedia

Apart from the touch of history, the castle offers a wonderful view of the surrounding area. Very nice, definitely worth a detour. Gastronomy is not neglected. You can also enjoy the surroundings with a piece of cake and a cup of coffee on the terrace of the cafeteria.

Unfortunately the castle cannot be visited because it is privately owned, but the view over the vineyards is great.

We were out too early to stop, but it looked very nice. Nice little garden. Closed Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., in winter also closed on Mondays and only open until 5 p.m.

A cool wine spritzer on the terrace and enjoy the magnificent view. What more could you want, simply brilliant.

The Kropsburg is located in the district of the southern Palatinate wine-growing community St. Martin in the district of Südliche Weinstrasse (Rhineland-Palatinate). Before its destruction in 1689, it was u. a. Seat of the highest barons of the empire, the Knights of Dalberg. A successor building erected in 1771 by a Dalberg descendant from the rubble in the courtyard of the lower castle was operated as a restaurant. This restaurant is now closed and the castle is no longer accessible. However, there is a newer restaurant in the outer bailey.

The Kropsburg lies on the district of the South Palatinate wine-growing community of St. Martin in the district of the Southern Wine Route (Rhineland-Palatinate). It is a nice restaurant with outdoor seating.