Are Castle
| Are Castle | |
|---|---|
| Altenahr | |
Ruins of Are Castle
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| Coordinates | 50°31′02″N 6°59′41″E / 50.517361°N 06.99472°ECoordinates: 50°31′02″N 6°59′41″E / 50.517361°N 06.99472°E |
| Type | hill castle |
| Code | DE-RP |
| Height | 240 m above sea level (NHN) |
| Site information | |
| Condition | ruin |
| Site history | |
| Built | um 1100 |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | counts |
Are Castle (pronounced "Ahr-er", German: Burg Are) is the ruin of a hill castle that stands at a height of 240 m above sea level (NHN) above the village of Altenahr in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. It was built around 1100 by Count Dietrich I of Are and is first recorded in 1121.
Since 1965 the Are Gymnasium – a local grammar school – in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler has borne the name which is derived from the castle and its eponymous noble family.
The plan of the castle is rectangular. As well as parts of the outer ward and a gate – the so-called Gymnicher Porz – remains of the defensive wall have survived. In addition, on the southern side of the site, is an old gate tower (also called the Schellenturm), as well as the ruins of the palas, which once had a heated bishop’s chamber. The first bergfried probably stood on the pointed dome of rock in its northern corner. North of that are extensive remains of the Romanesque castle chapel dating to the 12th century.
Below Are Castle lie the remains of the Gymnicher Porz, Porz standing for Pforte or "portal". This was the lower gateway on the access road to the castle which, in combination with a wall, barred the way to the castle hill. The structure comprised a gatehouse over the access road, an attached castle house (Burghaus), with a basement and two floors housing living accommodation, and an attached tower. It took its name from the House of Gymnich. Several members of the family held the castle in fief (they were ‘’Pfandnehmer’’) in the 14th and 16th centuries. It is suspected that the gate system was built during this time. From time to time the Gymnicher Porz was an independent fief (Burglehen) of the House of Gymnich.
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