Werdenfels Castle, Medieval castle ruins near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
Werdenfels Castle is a ruined fortress perched on a rocky outcrop high above the Loisach valley, between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Farchant in Bavaria. Stone walls still outline the remains of residential buildings, enclosure walls, and underground chambers that give a sense of how the site was once arranged.
The castle was built in the late 12th century as a seat for the counts of Werdenfels, then passed to the prince-bishops of Freising who used it as an administrative center. It fell into disuse during the 17th century and was never rebuilt.
The name Werdenfels survives today in the official name of the surrounding district, keeping the memory of the medieval ruling family alive in everyday life. Visitors who walk through the ruins will notice the absence of towers and drawbridges, which makes the site feel more like a manor than a military stronghold.
The walk up starts from the village of Burgrain along a marked trail that is steep and rocky throughout, so solid footwear is important. There is little shade and no refreshment point at the top, so carrying water is a good idea before setting off.
The outer walls of the castle are in places only about 3 feet (1 meter) thick, which is unusually thin for a medieval defensive structure. On top of that, there are no towers at all, leading historians to debate whether this was ever a true fortress or mainly a noble residence.
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