Wohldenberg Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Sillium, Germany.
Wohldenberg Castle is a ruined hilltop fortress near Holle in Lower Saxony, set on the northwestern edge of the Hainberg hill. The restored keep is the only fully standing structure on the site, rising above the remaining low stone walls and open grounds.
The counts of Wöltingerode built the fortress in the mid-12th century to secure their hold over the Ambergau region. After their line died out, ownership passed through several hands and the castle gradually fell into decay.
The gatehouse has been used as a vicarage since the 17th century and remains the only part of the site still in active use today. Walking through the grounds, visitors can clearly see the contrast between this lived-in building and the surrounding stone ruins.
The restored keep can be climbed and offers a wide view over the Lower Saxony countryside from its top platform. A visit on a clear day makes the most of what the tower has to offer, as cloud cover limits the range of the view.
The site was chosen because it already held an ancient offering stone dedicated to the Germanic god Wodan. This means the hill was already considered a place of some importance long before the medieval fortress was built on top of it.
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