Scharfenstein Castle (Ruin) (Kiedrich)

Scharfenstein Castle is a castle ruin near the municipality of Kiedrich in the Rheingau-Taunus district in Hesse. It is located on the road from Kiedrich to Hausen vor der Höhe on a mountain spur.

Castle festivals occasionally take place on the grounds around the former keep, which offers a wide view of the vineyards of the Rheingau.

In 1160, the castle was built as a state castle under Archbishop Christian I of Buch and occupied from 1191 by burgmannen, who then called themselves "von Scharfenstein". In the 13th century, the castle was an archiepiscopal residence several times. Since the 14th century, the people of Kiedrich have featured the castle tower in their coat of arms.

From 1686, the castle became uninhabitable, and in 1962, the remaining castle buildings were removed. In 2008 and 2009, the keep was renovated.

Of the former castle complex, the 30-meter-high keep with a base diameter of 9 m is still very well preserved today. The castle dungeon is located in the lower part. The entrance, originally accessible via an external staircase, is at a height of 7.60 m. Stone stairs then lead inside the 3 m thick wall over three floors to the former battlements.