Schauenburg, Medieval castle ruin in Schauenburg, Germany
Schauenburg is a castle ruin perched on a hilltop above the valley in the Hesse region. The remaining walls and tower sections show how the fortification once stood and still dominate the surrounding landscape.
The castle was built in the 12th century by local nobles who secured their power from this height. It suffered damage during conflicts in the 15th century and gradually lost importance afterward.
The ruins show how medieval lords positioned their strongholds on hilltops to watch over and control the lands below. You can still sense how this location allowed residents to spot visitors and threats from great distances.
The ruins are best reached on foot via hiking trails starting from Schauenburg town center. Once there, visitors should move carefully as the walls are old and crumbling in places.
Bullet and scorch marks on the walls tell of intense battles that struck the castle over the decades. If you look closely, you can spot these marks in the stone and imagine the struggle over the stronghold.
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