Burg Altnußberg, Medieval castle ruin and observation tower in Geiersthal, Germany.
Burg Altnußberg is a castle ruin with an observation tower on Schlossberg hill in Geiersthal, featuring preserved stone walls, defensive structures, and a central tower. The tower is open to visitors and provides views of the surrounding countryside.
The castle traces back to an earlier site called Tunnisberg from the 9th century, but was built as a stone fortress between 1175 and 1194 by the Nußberger family. This family shaped the structure and the region for centuries afterward.
The name Altnußberg refers to the Nußberger family, who ruled here for centuries and shaped the fate of the region. Visitors can see today how the castle is rooted in local history and what marks it left on the landscape.
The best time to visit is in good weather, when access to the ruin is safest and views from the observation platform are clearest. The castle is reached by walking paths, and a tavern on site offers refreshments during opening hours.
Excavations between 1983 and 1989 revealed an underground escape tunnel connecting the fortress to the village below. This hidden passage shows how residents planned emergency routes in case the castle came under attack.
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