Castle Virnsberg, Medieval castle in Flachslanden, Germany.
Castle Virnsberg is a fortress located in Flachslanden that sits on a slate-covered hill surrounded by the Nitzbach stream. The site still retains defensive walls, multiple towers, and a distinctive gatehouse with an ogival arch bridge serving as its entrance.
The fortress was founded in 1235 and changed hands several times before a preservation society acquired it in 1914. This purchase saved the ruins from further decay and ensured their protection.
The castle once housed military order knights and still displays the building style of a medieval fortress with its thick walls and strategic towers. Visitors can see how the layout combined daily life with defense.
The site is fairly accessible, but the steep hillside location requires sturdy footwear and some effort to climb. It is wise to allow time for a leisurely walk around the ruins to explore all parts thoroughly.
The elliptical ground plan and steep hillside location were originally a clever defense system, as the ring-shaped ditch around the neck area provided extra protection. This geometric design made the castle hard to attack and was typical of fortress layouts from that era.
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