Burg Wildenburg

Burg Wildenburg is a medieval castle in Friesenhagen perched on a steep hillside overlooking the Wildenburger Bach valley. The complex features a 25-meter-high tower with a baroque dome from the 18th century, while the inner buildings serve as offices for the Hatzfeldt-Wildenburg Forestry Administration today.

The castle was founded around 1235 when an inheritance was divided between Heinrich and Gerhard von Aremberg, who established this site as their administrative center. It survived intact through centuries of European conflicts until the 19th century, when sections were demolished for structural safety reasons.

The castle grounds display traces of medieval life through remaining chapel sections and residential wing foundations that give visitors a sense of how people lived here. The distinctive polygonal layout reflects the architectural thinking of its builders and their approach to fortified living spaces.

Access to the outer castle grounds is via a steep road or hiking trail, while the main residence is not open to the public. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the uphill path requires some physical effort to navigate.

Remarkably, this castle survived until 1830 without suffering damage from military conflicts, a rarity among fortifications in the region that faced repeated warfare. This escape from the violence that affected comparable structures makes it a noteworthy example of continuity through European upheaval.