Sausenburg Castle, Medieval fortress ruins near Kandern, Germany
Sausenburg Castle is a medieval fortress ruin located on a hillside near Kandern, featuring visible circular ramparts and tower remains from its original structure. The surviving stone elements clearly show how the fortress was designed to overlook and defend the surrounding landscape.
The fortress was founded in 1246 by the Counts of Hachberg and became an important stronghold for regional control. French forces destroyed it in 1678 during a period of conflict, after which it remained abandoned and gradually deteriorated into ruins.
The site takes its name from the noble family that first built here and served as a boundary marker between different territorial powers. Walking through the ruins today, you can sense how this location once connected people from the surrounding regions.
The ruins can be reached by following marked hiking trails that are regularly maintained by local outdoor groups. Plan your visit during dry weather when the paths are safe to walk and visibility of the surrounding area is best.
The original inhabitants moved their main residence to another fortress in 1316 but kept control of this site through administrators who stayed behind. This arrangement allowed them to manage multiple fortresses at once and spread their power across a wider territory.
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