Neu-Wolfstein Castle

Neu-Wolfstein Castle is the ruin of a hilltop castle on a 238-meter-high hill above the town of Wolfstein in the district of Kusel in Rhineland-Palatinate.

Not much is known about the castle's origins. It was probably built, in connection with the founding of the town of Wolfstein, as part of the town's fortifications by Rudolf von Habsburg between 1275 and 1324. The first mention of the castle was in 1324 as Hus zu Wolvenstein.

In 1503, during the Bavarian War of Succession, the castle was severely damaged, demolished in 1609 and rebuilt. In 1688 it was destroyed by the French, and then rebuilt again to serve as a barracks for French soldiers. This was partially destroyed in 1713 by bombardment on the orders of Marshal Villar, and the Kingdom of Bavaria used the complex as a quarry. From 1720 to 1771, St. George's Chapel in the castle served as a church for the community of Wolfstein. In 1792, the complex is mentioned as being in poor condition. Two years later, French soldiers used the castle as a chapel and hospital. Until 1798, the buildings were still used as a rectory. After that, the castle was left to decay.