WHAT: A visit to the old castle of Frankenstein, one that's totally in ruins and rumoured to be the inspiration of Mary Shelley's most famous book WHERE: 5 km south of Darmstadt, Germany in the district of Hessen HOW LONG: It depends on where you start. If you go on a walk to the castle (it's on a hill) you can make the expedition as long as you wish. Expect only some 15/20 minutes to inspect the place itself. You can park near the entrance too. HOW MUCH: A voluntarily 1 euro donation is expected when entering the castle (put in the box marked "Kasse")
Born in ‘Burg Frankenstein’ in 1673, the ‘alchemist’ Johann Konrad Dippel is thought to be the inspiration Mary Shelley’s mad scientist Frankenstein. The theory is still disputed, but all of the speculations put aside, you can’t but consider the figure of Dippel rather remarkable. It is rumoured that Dippel performed electric therapies, did experiments on stolen body parts from the graveyards around the castle and created potions in an attempt to stop himself of ageing. Some parts of his life therefore have a close parallel to ‘Victor Frankenstein’. Shelley must have heard about Dippel at some point, you’d think.
So stories enough about the most ‘colourful’ inhabitant that castle Frankenstein has known. It’s a reason many horror flick lovers, or Frankenstein admirers, come to the place. All the more surprisingly therefore it is, that nothing around the castle is reminding the visitors about Dippel. Just nothing. You wouldn’t know the connotation with the book if you hadn’t read about the story beforehand.
The castle is clearly lacking a marketing team and though that’s charming on the one hand for a change since there’s no over-exploitation, it’s almost a pity that there’s no information at all on the other. Nonetheless, with an imaginative mind the spooky surroundings and the ruins surely come to live.
Frankenstein is a rather small place and with most of the area in ruins, you shouldn’t expect a castle over here as a child would draw one. In terms of beauty it can’t compete with fellow castles along the Rhine River. Fortunately, you can still visit the towers that are in pretty good shape and provide a pretty view on the surrounding Rhine Valley. You can see the skyline from Frankfurt from up here, even on less clear days. The wedding chapel is worth checking out to because of its medieval sculptures, that have survived the collapse of the place.
Personally I’d say the panorama view and the surrounding forest are even more beautiful than the castle itself. Therefore I’d strongly suggest a hike if you can spare a little bit of time. No matter the season, you’ll have a great stroll for sure. We were there twice this year in the beginning of the year (with snow and without) and even in the bleak midwinter it was a beautiful time to visit the forest.
“The horror, the horror!”
Another reason to go here – if you’re into it obviously – is the largest Halloween party of Europe that’s been held every year in this place. This fright night party was initiated by American soldiers stationed near the castle in World War II. Until it was deactivated in 2008, the US Army’s 233rd Base Support Battalion in Darmstadt had an annual Frankenstein Castle run which finished at the tower.
It’s like the castle is destined for this fright night purpose. Although I haven’t personally experienced it, I’m pretty sure walking around the castle at night in here is enough to give you the shivers, let alone if people dressed up with masks and a proper amount of fake blood (or as clowns, brrr) pop up in the pitch dark. An ultimate place to scare the shit out of you. Ye be warned.
Here’s where to get ur freak on! ↓
