Burgruine Altsummerau, Castle ruin in Langnau, Germany
Burgruine Altsummerau is a castle ruin in Langnau featuring standing stone walls, tower foundations, and a preserved vault on an elevated hilltop. From this position, one can see across the Argen valley and the forests that surround it.
The castle first appeared in records in 1152 as a seat of the Lords of Summerau and later came under the control of the Bishops of Konstanz. It was destroyed sometime between 1633 and 1660, a period of regional upheaval.
The ruins display features of medieval defensive architecture that shaped the regional landscape. Today, visitors can sense how this fortified position once controlled movement through the valley below.
Several hiking paths lead through the forest to reach the ruins, with routes beginning from the nearby town of Laimnau. The trail via the Hängebrücke Badhütten suspension bridge offers a moderate walk with a notable landmark along the way.
The preserved vault inside the tower ruin reveals construction techniques that are often overlooked by visitors passing through. From this spot, you can also see the modern camping area at Laimnau-Badhütten, which shows how the valley below is used today.
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