En un regard
Le château en bref
The site of Altgabelstein lies east of Michelbach am Wald, a district of Öhringen in Hohenlohe, in the forest parcel known as Alten Bürg, on a small plateau of about 30 by 50 metres rising ten metres above the Michelbach stream, at around 330 metres above sea level. It is a completely vanished hilltop castle, whose memory survives in the place name "Alte Gabeln". Neither its founding date nor its owners are known. It is unclear whether it preceded the neighbouring Gabelstein Castle, served as an outpost watching over the valley, or was founded by a branch of the co-lords of Gabelstein. The plateau was protected on three sides by ravines cut by two tributaries of the stream, perhaps deepened by human hands, and a bank closed off the south-western end. No remains are visible on the surface; only a fragment of fire-reddened daub suggests that a half-timbered building burned down, as at the nearby Eselsburg. The place, in the forest, will appeal mainly to enthusiasts of vanished castle sites.