Bergfried, Medieval tower keep at Pyrmont Castle in Roes, Germany.
The Bergfried is a square tower keep built on a slate rock outcrop above the Elzbach river waterfall, rising prominently above the castle complex. The structure features thick stone walls with several chambers stacked vertically and connected by internal staircases.
The tower dates to the late 12th century when Count Palatine Cuno of Schönburg ordered the construction of Pyrmont Castle, with the first written mention appearing in 1225. The project was part of a wider building program to establish defensive strongholds along the Middle Rhine and secure control over major trade routes.
The tower's solid stone walls and narrow openings reveal its role as a last stronghold for those living in the castle. This type of fortress structure became a model for many other fortifications in the region and influenced how such buildings were designed and used.
Visitors can explore multiple levels of the tower through internal staircases during castle opening hours. The site requires sturdy footwear since paths to the tower climb over rocky and sometimes steep ground.
The tower operated as both an observation post and a final refuge for castle residents if outer defenses were breached. Its internal chambers were arranged so defenders could control access to the entire castle complex from a single stronghold.
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