Burgenmuseum auf Burg Altdahn
Small museum in the Altdahn castle complex with a model of the three rock castles of Dahn and finds from the securing work; free admission.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum lies in the castle massif east of Dahn, where three castles were built one after another on a long sandstone cliff made up of five rocks: Altdahn, Grafendahn and Tanstein. They were built in the 12th and 13th centuries by the Knights of Dahn; Tanstein is considered the oldest complex, Altdahn followed in the late 13th century, and shortly afterwards the middle castle, Grafendahn. As early as 1288, several knightly families lived together on the castle hill.
In the late Middle Ages, feuds, sieges and partial destruction shaped the complex. In the 17th century, Altdahn and Tanstein fell into decay, while Grafendahn remained inhabited for longer. Since the 20th century the ruins have been secured and extensively restored in several stages; today, massive gate and artillery towers, walls, cisterns and passages and chambers cut into the rock convey an impression of their former size.
The castle museum on the site shows a model of the three castles as they roughly looked in the Middle Ages. In addition, there are finds from the securing work, including household items, tools, locks and keys, weapons, coins and jewelry, which give an impression of everyday life in the castles. The complex is one of the largest castle sites in the Palatinate and is looked after by the Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz (Directorate General for Cultural Heritage Rhineland-Palatinate).
Highlights
- Model of the three castles Altdahn, Grafendahn and Tanstein
- Finds from the securing work: weapons, coins, jewelry, tools
- One of the largest castle complexes in the Palatinate, on a sandstone cliff
- Rock passages, cisterns, and gate and artillery towers
- View across the site to the Vosges
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Modell der Dahner Burgen und Fundstücke – Model of the three rock castles in their approximate medieval state, plus finds from the securing work such as weapons, coins, jewelry and everyday objects.
- Operated by
- Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz, Direktion Burgen Schlösser Altertümer
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Because of the historic site, the castle ruin cannot be made barrier-free.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Stadtmitte (Dahn) · 60-min walk
Regional bus line 856 from Pirmasens main station to Dahn (hourly during the week, every two hours on weekends), stop Stadtmitte; from there it is about a 60-minute walk to the castle.
By car
Parking available · 10-min walk to the entrance
Parking below the castle; the uphill walk takes about 10 minutes.
The castle lies east of Dahn; follow the signs. The almost 19-kilometer Dahn circular hiking trail leads over the Hochstein to the castle complex.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant: not available
The castle inn remains closed.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photography on the grounds of the Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe is only allowed with explicit permission; drone footage also requires permission. |
| Good to know | Guided tours are possible by arrangement. Dogs may be brought along on a leash. |
