Weißenburg, Frankenfels, Medieval castle ruins in Frankenfels, Austria.
Weißenburg stands on a bright limestone rock in the upper Pielachtal valley and retains remnants of fortification walls and a central structure. The ruins clearly show the typical building style of medieval castles in this region.
The castle was built between 1250 and 1270 and was inhabited by families such as the Rabensteins and the Counts of Tattenbach. Changes in ownership shaped its development over several centuries.
The site shows how medieval people used elevated positions to protect and monitor their lands. The bright limestone rock shaped both the appearance and the name of this defensive stronghold.
The ruins are protected monuments and visitors should respect property regulations during their visits. Access can be challenging since the terrain is hilly and paths are not always clearly marked.
The name Weißenburg comes directly from the bright color of the limestone rock on which the castle was built. Old copper engravings by Georg Matthäus Vischer show how grand the structure looked in its original state.
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