Neublankenheim is somewhat remote, and because of that we expected to find the place deserted. Indeed, as we drove the back road to the castle there was not a car in sight. But yet, as we arrived at the castle just ONE car, a Cooper Mini, pulled up with a couple in it! Amazing! Anyhow, we still got a good chance to examine this castle in virtual silence.
An old photograph indicates that the tower was in worse shape than now and it does appear that the upper portion has been rebuilt.
These photos were taken in 2008.
Neublankenheim was built in the Eifel region, a region disputed by Trier, Koln, and Luxembourg. Therefore, any castle built in the area would have strategic importance. Even first mention of the castle is under dispute, with dates suggested as either 1273 or 1341. During this early time the castle was owned by leading families of Trier or Luxembourg. By 1371, the owner Konrad V von Schleiden promised to end the feud between Koln and Trier and four years later the castle passed to the Blankenheim family. It was held by this family until 1406 when the male line ended. Ownership was then disputed for some time and the documents extant are inconclusive. During this time families such as the Kasselburg and Manderscheid laid claim to the property. The later held the property to 1524, and the death of the male heir led to another dispute. The feud that followed led to the destruction of the castle, but it was rebuilt soon after. However, it appears that after 1593 the castle was abandoned and fell into decay, playing no role in the major events that soon followed. Several owners held the property but did nothing to repair the ruins. Today it is public property.
There is not much left of the ruins but the structure can be traced through the foundation of walls that were once extant.
Floors were made of wood and supported by joists pushed into slots in the walls. All of this collapsed into the area of the inner ward creating a debris field that is probably about six to eight feet deep.
The inner ward of the castle was quite small, and foundational evidence implies that the courtyard was extremely small. This would make Neublankenheim a difficult castle in which to maintain a residence and a garrison, even if very small in number. This would imply that the castle was used more as an outpost for a more powerful entity than as an independent site capable of projecting military power throughout its spehere of influence.
