Burgrest Neusummerau, castle ruin
Burgrest Neusummerau is a castle ruin near Neukirch situated on a steep hillside at approximately 495 meters (1,625 feet) elevation. Visible today are sections of stone walls, earthen ramparts, and ditches that formed the medieval defensive structure.
The castle was likely built in the late 13th century as a seat for the Summerau family, whose presence in the region is documented from the 12th century onward. By the 14th century it came under the control of the Counts of Montfort and the Diocese of Constance, before being gradually abandoned after around 1430.
The site was named Neusummerau around 1430 and served as the main residence of the Summerau family, local nobles documented from the 12th century. The ruins today represent how medieval lords chose strategic hilltop locations to establish family seats and demonstrate their control over the surrounding territory.
The ruin is freely accessible with no entrance fee, but can only be reached on foot as a steep hillside and past landslide damage prevent vehicle access. Wear sturdy shoes and visit during daylight hours, as the terrain is uneven and there are no facilities or wheelchair access available.
A large section of the western corner wall was lost to an earth slide, an event that permanently changed the access routes and made the site accessible only on foot afterward. This natural process shows how the hillside continues to reshape the ruin across centuries.
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