Burg Werdenstein

Burg Werdenstein sits atop a sandstone hilltop at roughly 740 meters elevation with views across the Illertal valley in Bavaria's Oberallgäu region. The ruins preserve sections of walls and a gate structure that reveal how medieval fortifications were built and arranged.

The castle was first documented in 1239 as the family seat of the Lords of Werdenstein, who held the treasurer's role at Kempten Abbey. In 1525, it suffered severe destruction during the Peasants' War, an event that marked the end of its use as a noble residence.

The Werdensteiner Chronicle, written by Baron Georg, documents the castle's plundering during the 1525 Peasants' War, providing insights into medieval social conflicts.

You can reach the ruins by walking path from the base of the hill, and the views from the top make the climb worthwhile for seeing the surrounding landscape. A café nearby provides refreshment options if you need a break during your visit.

The gatehouse contains specialized arrow slits with a distinctive construction method that dates to between 1460 and 1480, a narrow time period when this design was used. The horizontal external openings combined with vertical internal slots represent a defensive technique that was rarely applied in this exact form.