Ruine Hornstein, Burgenland, Medieval castle ruins in Hornstein, Austria.
Ruine Hornstein is a medieval castle on elevated ground in Hornstein and today shows remaining foundation walls and stone structures from the original fortress. The scattered fragments of what was once a major defensive building give visitors a sense of its former scale and construction.
This fortress was built in the mid-14th century to defend Hungary's western border. Over time the structure was abandoned and deteriorated into the ruins visible today.
The ruins stand as a testament to medieval military architecture, with the remaining structures protected under Austrian heritage preservation laws.
The ruins are reachable on foot from the village cemetery and require no entrance fee. The terrain is uneven, so sturdy footwear is recommended for the visit.
In the 17th century local villagers collected stones from the crumbling fortress and used them to build their own homes. This recycling of materials was common practice and gave the stones a second life in the community.
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