back to overview
Schloss Auerbach
Schloss Auerbach
Outdoor area open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Auerbach Castle above Bensheim-Auerbach was probably built in the 13th century by the Counts of Katzenelnbogen, who controlled the Bergstraße. The inner castle was grouped around a triangular courtyard with a 62-meter-deep well, surrounded by inner and outer bailey. An earthquake in 1356 destroyed the keep, and since then the two tall round towers have dominated the silhouette. Residential buildings and halls were located between the towers; a third tower secured the attack side. During the Dutch War in 1674, the castle was stormed and destroyed by Turenne's troops, but remained standing as a ruin. In the 19th century, romantic preservation and partial restoration began: the north tower, residential buildings, hall, gate, and bridge were renovated, supplemented by a battlement and pointed arch windows. Today, the ruins offer sweeping views of the Rhine Valley, house restaurants, and are crowned by a centuries-old pine tree on the battlement, a symbol of their permanence.