Wildenburg mountain near Kempfeld
On the top of Wildenburg Mountain (Wildenburger Kopf), one of the highest
peaks of Wildenburg Ridge at 675 m, stood an important
Celtic refuge
with a double ring wall during the Latène Age (3rd century B.C.). Together
with the grounds further west near
Otzenhausen
and on
Ringskopf mountain,
as well as the "Altburg" fortress further east near
Bundenbach,
this formed an extensive defence system for the Celtic tribe of Treverians.
The key strategic importance of Wildenburg for those times becomes clear when
you stand on the platform of the observation tower and enjoy the sweeping
panoramic views —an extremely rewarding outing at any time of year and in
any weather. To the north you can see the Eifel region and the Ardennes, to
the east the Taunus region, and in the southeast the prominent massif of Donnersberg
mountain. At 687m, Donnersberg is the highest point of the Nordpfalz Region,
on whose summit plateau the third largest Celtic "oppidum" of central Europe
can be found, with an 8.5km long system of ring walls and an enclosed area
of 240 hectares. By contrast, with an area of 6 hectares, the dimensions of
the Wildenburg refuge (whose largest dimensions were 300m by 220m) were
quite modest, yet for the Hunsrück region it represented a typical size of
Celtic castle.
In fact, thanks to the prosperous economy, the economic and social system
of the Celts of the Latène Age developed into an early urban form of society;
the so-called Oppida Civilization. Typical of this civilization in Caesar's
time was a form of settlement, which consisted mainly of individual farmsteads
(Latin: aedificia), unfortified villages (Latin: vici), and fortified towns
(Latin: oppida). After Caesar conquered the Gauls (58-51 B.C.) and subjugated
the Celtic tribe of Treverians, a Roman mountain temple appeared on the top
of Wildenburg. It is unclear whether the Celtic castle was still being used
at the time of the Roman conquest. Around the year 350 AD a Late Roman fortification
was built on Wildenburg where it stood for a short time.
Wildenburg gets its name from the Wildgraf (nobleman with the status of Earl)
Friedrich von Kyrburg from Kirn on the Nahe River, who, in the year
1328, built a small castle on an exposed spur on the top of Wildenburg Mountain.
In the process, a substantial part of the Celtic ring walls were dismantled
and used as a stone quarry. Its exposed position meant that the only easy
approach to the castle was from the heights of the mountain ridge, so that
two man-made moats were enough to defend it. These were hewn into the rock
at a 10m distance from each other and still visible today. A wooden bridge
was the only way over the moats to reach the castle, and this was burned down
by Lorraine troops in 1651. Later it was partially reconstructed, and in the
year 1660 the lower part of the castle served the bailiwick of Wildenburg
as its administrative centre until the county was abolished in the year 1792.
Today a 22m high observation tower, which was erected by the Hunsrück Society
(an association for the advancement of cultural heritage), stands on the rocky
spur on top of Wildenburg mountain. At the foot of the castle hill, on the
medieval foundation wall of the lower part of the castle, a country style
restaurant has-been built. An "historic" learning trail leads through the
three thousand years plus of human history of this area. In addition, a newly
established "forest adventure trail" will enthral adults and children alike.
This 3.5 km long circular path through the woods around Wildenburg allows
you to see at firsthand how a forest renews itself naturally. Much interesting
information can be discovered here: for example identifying characteristics
of trees, the location of wild animals, and how charcoal used to be made.
If you prefer longer, more varied walks, you will be fully rewarded here.
How about a trip past the Wildenburg ridge, towards the East to Mörschieder
Burr (646m), to see the Härtlingsrücken made of weathered Taunus quartzite?
Or you can go in the opposite direction down the Idarbach creek valley to
Katzenloch, and from there to the massive rock wall of the Kirschweil Fort
on the Silberich (623m). From the Silberich you can go via the ridge to the
Celtic ring wall system on the
Ringskopf
(650m). This mountain plateau affords a clear view over the Hunsrück ridges,
and it is not far from here down to
Allenbach.