Burgruine Scharfeneck, Medieval castle ruin in Oberscheinfeld, Germany
Burgruine Scharfeneck is a castle ruin on Schlossberg hill in Oberscheinfeld, with a quadrilateral tower built from carefully worked sandstone blocks as its main feature. The site shows the remains of what was once a fortified settlement from the medieval period.
The site began as a noble residence in 1114 and later came under the control of the Bishop of Bamberg in 1202. The fortress lost importance over time and was dismantled, with much of its material repurposed for other construction projects in the area.
The stone tower displays an arrangement of differently colored sandstone blocks, showing how medieval builders worked in Bavaria. Visitors can see the careful craftsmanship in how each stone was cut and placed.
The tower is accessible via a hiking trail and offers views over the surrounding Steigerwald landscape. Visit during daylight hours and good weather, as the site is outdoors with no shelter or facilities permanently available.
In the middle of the 16th century, stones from this fortification were removed and reused to build a new castle in the town center. This shows how old structures were sometimes dismantled on purpose to provide materials for newer buildings.
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