Hohenstaufen Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Göppingen, Germany

Hohenstaufen Castle stands as stone ruins on a 684-meter hill between the Rems and Fils rivers in Baden-Württemberg. The remaining walls show the structure of a medieval hilltop fortress with characteristic defensive features.

The fortress was founded around 1070 by Frederick I of Hohenstaufen and served as the main seat of the Staufen dynasty. It was destroyed in 1525 during the Peasants' War and its stones were later reused for other buildings.

The hillside served for centuries as a symbol of the Staufen dynasty and shaped how the region saw itself. Today, memorial stones at this location recall the medieval rule and its importance to local identity.

The trail to the ruin begins between the two churches next to the Staufer Museum in Hohenstaufen. From there it climbs to the summit plateau at 684 m, where the wall remains stand. The route is uphill, so sturdy footwear is advised.

After destruction, the castle stones were quarried and used to build the Renaissance Göppingen Castle, which still stands in the city today. This turned the old hilltop site into a stone source for the region's new residence.