Burgruine Bertholdstein, building in Krems an der Donau, Austria
Burgruine Bertholdstein is a castle ruin located on a hill near Hollenburg in the northern part of Krems. The surviving stone walls and a large tower show the structure of the medieval fortress, with remains that reveal how rooms and defensive positions were once arranged.
The castle was built in the 13th century to watch over the valley and control the trade routes below. A major fire in the late 1600s destroyed much of the structure, and the building was never repaired, leading to its gradual decay into the ruins seen today.
The name Bertholdstein comes from Bishop Berthold von Wehingen, who held authority in the late 1300s and oversaw the castle's expansion. The ruins now stand as a quiet reminder of the power held by both church and local leaders in medieval times.
The ruins are easy to reach via a simple path from Obere Hollenburger Hauptstraße, and parking is available nearby. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and bring water, as there are no modern facilities like cafes or shops at the site itself.
Archaeologists discovered remains of buildings from the late Roman period beneath the castle, revealing that the site was occupied long before the medieval fortress was built. This find shows that humans have used this location for over a thousand years.
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