Consider the Hochburg a natural fortress. It’s a rocky bastion sculpted by nature. The north, east, and south sides feature sandstone cliffs. These cliffs rise up to 40 meters. The west side was more accessible. So, it was later fortified with a double rampart.
The Hochburg’s history stretches back a long time. Archaeological finds show human presence here in the Neolithic period. This means people used this site as early as the New Stone Age.
Specifically, the Hochburg – Vorwall mit Graben is part of this larger fortification. The Vorwall is a rampart. It blocks off the mountain spur to the west. A ditch lies in front of it. This ditch is about 90 meters long and 8 meters wide. Today, it’s about 0.50 meters deep. The rampart itself is about 15 meters wide at its base. It still stands about 1 meter high.
Roughly 200 meters further east is the main rampart. Coming from the southeast, the ditch curves slightly. It runs almost 100 meters to the north side. The ditch is now 0.80 meters deep. Its average width is 8 meters. The main rampart is still quite visible. It measures 16 meters wide at the base. It reaches a height of 5 meters.
To the northeast, only a boundary wall remains. There’s a gap in the wall. This likely marks the location of a former gate.
Limited archaeological work occurred here in 1967. These digs uncovered a 0.50-meter-thick settlement layer. This layer contained pottery shards. These shards came from the older Hunsrück-Eifel culture dating from 600 to 475 BC.
The Hochburg is divided into three sections. There is an extended outer ward. This has a short, low outer wall and ditch. A mighty section wall marks this. It stands up to 5.5 meters high. It features a ditch in front. The upper castle sits at the eastern tip. It was likely built in the Middle Ages.
A rock gap separates the plateau’s eastern tip. This gap is widened into a ditch. Traces of mortar walls have been found behind it. Also, high medieval shards were discovered here. These may relate to a building documented in 926 AD.
From the highest point, you can see far. You can look out over the Kyll valley. On a clear day, you can even see the southern Mosel. The rising mountains of the Hunsrück are also visible.
Consider the Hochburg – Vorwall mit Graben. It’s a window into our distant past. It is a place where Celts sought refuge. This is where medieval lords built their strongholds. Stand here and feel the echoes of history all around.