Frankenstein Castle

Castle · Mühltal

Frankenstein Castle

Castle · Mühltal

1

Burg Frankenstein, 64367 Mühltal, Germany

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Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
Frankenstein Castle by null
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Highlights

Castle ruins linked to Frankenstein, offering panoramic views  

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Burg Frankenstein, 64367 Mühltal, Germany Get directions

lbih.hessen.de
@burgfrankenstein

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Burg Frankenstein, 64367 Mühltal, Germany Get directions

+49 6151 14170
lbih.hessen.de
@burgfrankenstein

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Oct 11, 2025

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9 Places to Experience the Wonder of Alchemy

"Johann Konrad Dippel was rumored to create potions, perform electrical therapies, and partake in gruesome experiments involving stolen body parts from the graveyard. Born in the Castle Frankenstein (German: Burg Frankenstein) in 1673, it’s disputed whether or not he was the inspiration for Mary Shelley’s mad scientist of the same name, who did some cadaver experiments of his own. What is sure about Dippel is his colorful career as an alchemist. He attached his name to Dippel’s Animal Oil, which he discovered from the destructive distillation of animal parts and claimed as a universal medicine. The animal oil came at the end of a wave of popularity for Iatrochemistry, which had moved alchemy from the search for creating gold to finding new medicines. The unpleasant taste and smell, as well as the progression of medicine, made Dippel’s oil fall into disrepute by the end of the 18th-century. Dippel later helped set up a laboratory in Berlin for making gold and, at one point, he ended up in prison on a Danish island for seven years due to political activities. In 1734, he finally had a stroke and died at Castle Wittgenstein near Berleburg, although his friends claimed he was poisoned. By his own hand or that of another, it is unclear. The Castle Frankenstein is now in ruins, with only two towers, a restaurant with a vegan and kid-friendly menu, and a chapel remaining. However, the perhaps mythical connection to Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein” keeps it a popular destination, especially for Halloween. In late October and early November, the Burg Frankenstein Halloween party gathers zombies, witches, werewolves, vampires, and regular visitors for scary dinners and creepy shows. A popular annual party was started there 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 conducted an annual Frankenstein Castle run which finished at the tower. The castle was featured in an episode of Ghost Hunters International, which aired in February of 2008. The Atlas Obscura Podcast is a short, daily celebration of all the world’s strange and wondrous places. Check out this episode about Castle Frankenstein." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/alchemy-places-europe
View Postcard for Burg Frankenstein Restaurant and Events

N K

Google
I went for a day hike to this castle from Darmstadt center and it was a really good hike to be honest. Climbing uphill along side the view was really good. The hills reminded me of my homeland. I had chosen this castle as final stop and view from it was so good. I was happy that even Frankfurt skyline was visible from here and the castle was well protected and free to enter as well. Definitely recommend and you can also get your trails from AllTrails.

Thierry Noumbissi

Google
This was around March 2025 and they had a lot of construction going on. You have the option to either hike all the way to the top (not sure how long it is) or you can do as I did - drive up there. That saved the energy to walk around and explore the grounds. Beautiful view - absolutely stunning! If you are in Darmstadt, you have to pay a visit.

Ms. K

Google
This castle was decent to travel to and check out. It was only 50 minutes away and was worth the short drive. The views were pretty cool and the sound of nature around the castle was nice. The castle is free so no need to purchase anything. Just stop by and give it a look

Nathan MacPherson

Google
Ideal spot to look beyond the years... you can look over a large area from here and all the domain Frankenstein castle offered. There are beautiful trails around the area to hike as well. Also, there is a nice café you can enjoy after a long day.

Seth Curity

Google
Very charming castle ruin. Currently under renovation, but still fun to see. You can climb stairs to the tower and wall. Partially wheelchair accessible with assistance.

Maximilian Mertes

Google
Great experience to visit after a walk through the woods up the hill.

Krystal

Google
Beautiful ruins of the inspiration for Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. The lore around this one is fun to look into. Build sometime before 1250! Lots to explore. Some things closed as under renovation, but still worth it!

Glen Francis

Google
A ruin castle with a nice view right at the top of the tower. Everything else is normal looking. Nonetheless as it’s Frankenstein castle. You have to visit for bragging rights 😃
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Lauren F.

Yelp
I was on a road trip and noticed that Burg Frankenstein was along the way. So I took a detour. I was glad that I didn't make this a destination. Burg Frankenstein is ruins. The castle itself is a set of ruins. You can walk up some stairs. You can look out at the view from the top. They have adjacent buildings and a couple of counters where you can by snacks, refreshments and souvenirs. It looked like there may have been a wedding taking place or about to take place the day I was there. There are also a couple of outdoor seating areas, where you can have the food or beverage that you purchased from the counter. It looks like they also have special events. There were some people setting up lighting and sound systems. There was a sign advertising dinner theater, presumably at the restaurant. Parking is free. You drive up the mountain and park in a clearly designated area and walk up the rest of the way. There are also surrounding hiking trails if you bring the right equipment (shoes). I'm glad I visited so I know what it's all about.
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Anne P.

Yelp
I definitely was expecting a little bit more than what we saw. I'm also very thankful we didn't park at the bottom of the hill and hiked up to the castle ruins, I honestly would have been VERY disappointed. However the ruins itself is very interesting to walk around and also to climb. Whenever we were on our way out we grabbed a little map, and there's actually multiple stops along the mountain side that you can hike and walk to. If we had known this previously before coming here we both would have worn appropriate attire. As we were leaving a wedding was about to take place in the tiny little church by the cafe, so we couldn't take pictures inside. Overall we came just to say we've been here and done that ‍
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Amy S.

Yelp
So many of the castles and palaces of Europe have been preserved or restored. That is not the case for Burg Frankenstein. These ruins are just that...the remains of a once grand castle. I don't know if this is simply the result of age or another casualty of WWII. None the less, it is a sight to see. You are able to wander the grounds freely without any of the restrictions of other sights. This day did present a minor restriction... a wedding. I never would have imagined getting married in a castle but we did see this more than once on our trip. Other castle were more picturesque, this presented a unique character. The wedding did require all tourists to clear the areas in use. No worries, there were more sights for us to see. In addition to the castle remains, the grounds have a restaurant, snack bar, restrooms and wifi. This is worth the stop for another perspective on castles and the inspiration for Mary Shelley.
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Marcelo F.

Yelp
Very rude staff. Unfriendly and unhelpful. I can never recommend this place. The castle itself is beautiful and worth the trip.
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Andy J.

Yelp
The trip up to the castle in December was as eerie as you can imagine. This is supposedly THE castle that inspired Mary Shelly for her novel. Most of the building is a ruin now but there is still a tower that can be climbed. There is a restaurant on-site but I did not go inside. This is a great site for photos. Its just outside of Darmstadt (good view of the city from the castle) and is definitely worth a stop if you are nearby.
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Joseph B.

Yelp
5 stars for a castle ruins? YES! It is the proverbial feather in my bucket list cap. Saying that you actually visited the Frankenstein castle is saying something. Internationally recognized, immortalized in written word and in cinematic glory, the legend lives on. There is not much to see of the actual ruins but they are there. It does have a dark feel to it which exacerbates the creepy feeling that something bad happened here many years ago. Of course it's all just hyperbole we read as children and saw in movies. But to say "I visited Frankenstein's Castle" has a certain ring to it. We actually witnessed a wedding in progress at the ruins LOL! There is a beautiful restaurant located there with panoramic views of the valley below. There are also restrooms, a small snack venue and free wifi. There is no admission to visit the site, but getting there is the trick. It is well of the beaten path and I recommend a rental car to get there. It is at the top of a pretty steep mountain. Boo!