Trifels

Trifels, or Burg Trifels, is a medieval rock castle perched on a sandstone outcrop above the town of Annweiler am Trifels in the western Palatinate Forest, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is one of the region’s best-known fortifications and forms part of the historic Castles Road route through the Palatinate. The name is commonly linked to the three rock faces that enclose the site.

The fortress dates to the 11th century and served as a defensive stronghold for local rulers. It was expanded during the 12th and 13th centuries and remained an important symbol of regional power for many generations. In later centuries it changed hands among noble families and, after sustained damage in the late 17th century amid the Wars of Louis XIV, fell into ruin. The ruins were subsequently preserved as a cultural monument and are today a protected historic site.

Trifels is widely associated with legends concerning the Imperial Regalia of the Holy Roman Empire. A popular narrative holds that the regalia were stored at Trifels during the late 12th century while the imprisonment of Richard the Lionheart was resolved. While the details of this episode are debated, the story has contributed to the castle’s enduring significance as a symbol of imperial power and medieval authority.

Today the ruins are a major tourist destination. Visitors can explore remnants of towers, walls, and dungeons, with interpretive panels outlining the castle’s history. Trifels is accessible by foot from Annweiler and is part of the broader network of Palatine fortifications that attract hikers and history enthusiasts.