Some castles are pretty; Trifels is important. Perched on a sandstone crag about 500 metres up near Annweiler in Germany's Palatinate region, this medieval fortress — first recorded in 1081 — was once one of the most powerful places in the Holy Roman Empire. For a time it guarded the imperial crown jewels, and in 1193–94 it held an even more famous prisoner: King Richard the Lionheart of England, captured on his way home from the Crusades.
This film tours the castle as it stands today. After centuries of ruin, Trifels was substantially rebuilt through the 19th and 20th centuries, and the result is a monumental, romantic fortress that rewards the climb with sweeping panoramic views over the wooded hills of the Palatinate Forest. Walking its halls and ramparts, it's easy to feel the weight of the imperial history that once played out here — emperors, jewels, and a captive king ransomed for a fortune.
It's a genuine piece of European history you can walk through. Press play for the full tour of Trifels, and find more of my German castles and walks on my channel.
▶ Watch “The Specatacular Trifels Castle in Palatinate Region Germany” on YouTube →
