A sign detailing
historical information about Burg
Hohenecken is located at the entrance
of the castle grounds. The American
version reads:
"The castle was built on the
promontory of the Schlossberg from
the middle of the 12th Century onward,
and, like the castles of Beilstein
and Wilenstein, served administration
and security of the territory of the
empire. The main period of construction
was between 1150 and 1220. It is first
mentioned in 1195.
"The Lords of Hohenecken, in
possession of the castle up to 1665,
were first mentioned as a dynasty
of Ministeriales (administrative
knights) in 1212.
"In 1525, the castle was devastated
in the Peasants' War and rebuilt shortly
afterward, to be altered and extended
in 1560.
"The castle was taken in 1668
by Elector Karl Ludwig and demolished
by the French in 1689.
"The castle complex in native
red sandstone consists of the older
upper castle on a rock plateau and
the lower castle extending before
it to the northeast. The central fortification,
the upper castle of the Hohenstaufen
period, is protected to the northeast
by a curtain wall approximately 11m
high and by the formerly five-sided
keep.
"The castle ruin is counted among
the most impressive architectural
remains of the Hohenstaufen era and
is recognized as a cultural monument
under Article 1 of the Hague Convention.
It became the property of the City
of Kaiserslautern in 1987."
This photograph was taken inside the
remains of Burg Hohenecken in the
vicinity of the living quarters and
cellar.
All photographs, graphics, and stories may be used only for personal research
and with written consent from the author and Webmaster:
Vincent Z. Whaley
