Castle Sponheim is a medieval ruin in Burgsponheim on the edge of the Hunsrück in Rhineland-Palatinate and original residence of the Counts of Sponheim. Significant portions of the castle remain standing.
The castle stands on a crag, approximately 250 meters long, around which the Ellerbach, a tributary of the Nahe, flows on the south and east sides. The ruin is on the peak of the crag, which is roughly 150 meters high.
The castle was probably already built in the 11th century and is first mentioned in 1127 in two documents. In the 12th century it was extended and became the proud seat of the Counts of Sponheim.
In the 13th century the castle lost importance with the first divisions of the county, becoming a residence of ministeriales.
The existence of a castle chapel is documented in an indulgence dated 1300.
When the ruling male line of the Rhenish branch of the House of Sponheim became extinct, the castle became a joint jurisdiction of the Margraves of Baden and the Counts of Veldenz or the Counts Palatine by Rhine. In the Thirty Years' War the castle was besieged by Spinola, which caused some destruction.
Within a ring wall, the castle comprised a residential section, a round tower, and a strongly fortified rectangular keep, provided for habitation purposes with privy, enlarged windows, and fireplaces. The keep was constructed of rough-hewn stone and dates roughly to the mid-12th century. Other towers with rough-hewn masonry are found only south of the River Nahe.
