Schalksburg, Castle ruin in Laufen an der Eyach, Germany.
Schalksburg is a castle ruin in Laufen an der Eyach with two distinct structures, featuring the surviving Eisenbartturm tower and scattered stone walls on elevated terrain. The site contained multiple sections, each serving different defensive and residential purposes.
Construction began around 1100 and the site received its first documented mention in 1226 as Shalchispurch, then reappeared as Salkesburch in 1252. These early records show the place remained politically significant across several centuries.
The name reflects connections to medieval trade and local nobility. The visible stone foundations and wall sections you see today show how a fortified estate was laid out and defended.
The site is accessible via several hiking trails that offer different difficulty levels to suit various fitness abilities. Wear sturdy shoes and exercise caution in wet conditions, as the ground on the hilltop can become slippery.
Archaeological findings show the hilltop was inhabited around 1500 BC, making the site substantially older than the medieval castle. This far deeper history went largely unnoticed until recent excavations expanded our understanding of the place.
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