The original Hardenburg castle was started by the Counts of Leiningen as early as 1214.
In the early 1500s, the family had the early castle completely rebuilt, the new fortress swallowing up the remnants of the old burg to the point where virtually nothing of the original survived. Much of the original was actually dismantled to provide some materials and space for the reconstruction work. As a consequence, the foundations of the original structure were lost beneath that of the new.
The castle survived the Thirty Years War but was occupied by French troops during the War of the Palatinate Succession in 1690. In 1794, French revolutionary troops attacked it again, this time burning the site so completely that all furnishings and collections within were destroyed. The western bastion, being the large tower in the diagram at right, was blown up.
During the 1800s, the site was pilfered extensively by locals seeking building material. In the late 1980s, restoration work began to make the site safe for visitors.
These photos are mostly from 2008, though a few are from 2005. In the latter case, I was too late when I arrived and the site was closed. This turned out to be a good thing for when I returned a few years later my wife and I were treated to a wonderful and awesome surprise!
Right, as you enter the main gate there is a tower to the right to help protect it. The stairs are no longer extant, though you can still see the pieces protruding from the wall of the originals.
Left and below, the main gate close up, the first from outside and the second from within. The second photo was taken in 2005 and I happened to catch some locals horseback riding through the area. It was actually very charming to hear the sound of the horses' hoves as they entered the tunnel of the entrance.
