Castle Ruin Stein-Kallenfels in Kirn

Castle Ruin Stein-Kallenfels (not accessible)
The district of Kallenfels is quietly located at the mighty castle rocks of the impressive castle ruin Stein-Kallenfels in the Hahnenbach Valley, which once encompassed the three castles Stock im Hane, Kallenfels, and Stein. The castle was built on three very steep and impressive rocks. On the lowest rock next to the road leading past the Hahnenbach is the 'Stock im Hane' with the remaining small remnants of a rectangular watchtower. The castle Kallenfels once stood on the second rock. To the northwest, some semi-circular wall remnants and a round tower can be discovered in the valley. There used to be castle houses that were enclosed by a zwinger wall. The most extensive structure stood on the third rock: Castle Stein. It is separated from the adjacent ridge by a wide neck ditch, in which a round gate tower stands. A strong shield wall protected the northwest side. Behind this, elevated on rocks, is the protruding pentagonal keep with adjoining wall sections. The southwest was covered by a large zwinger wall with a round defense tower and some semi-circular and polygonal bastions. The total extent of the castle was about 300m in the longitudinal direction from southeast to northwest. The castle presents a realm that emerged from a customs post. The main income was the customs of the market in Kirn.

After the castle Stein-Kallenfels, the lords of Stein(-Kallenfels) named themselves, who were first mentioned in the middle of the 12th century. However, over time, through marriage and purchase, the majority of the Middle Rhine nobility also gained a share in the castle, which was finally blown up by the French around 1682. Since 1969, the village of Kallenfels has been a district of Kirn.