Waldsteinburg, Medieval castle ruins in Zell im Fichtelgebirge, Germany.

Waldsteinburg sits atop Großer Waldstein mountain and shows the remaining foundation walls and structural fragments from its medieval construction. From this elevated position, the ruins provide sweeping views across the Fichtel Mountains and surrounding terrain.

The Westburg, first recorded in 1350, was built by the knights of Sparneck to replace the older Ostburg, which no longer met defensive needs. In 1523 the Swabian League razed it to its foundations after prisoners held there for Hans Thomas von Absberg escaped and named the Sparnecks as helpers. The castle was never rebuilt, and the last Sparneck died in 1744 in Wunsiedel.

The name Rotes Schloss (Red Castle) is documented alongside Waldsteinburg, and the ruins are called Westburg to distinguish them from the older Ostburg on the same summit. A 1523 woodcut by war correspondent Hans Wandereisen shows the castle with its palace, gatehouse, battlement and square keep, and the drawing is still used to read the layout of the fragmentary walls.

The ruins are accessible through marked hiking paths from Zell im Fichtelgebirge and require climbing to reach the mountaintop location. Wear sturdy shoes and exercise caution during poor weather, as the exposed summit can be windy or slippery.

The name Rotes Schloss (Red Castle) appears in the sources alongside Waldsteinburg, and the ruins are also called Westburg to distinguish them from the older Ostburg on the same summit. A 1523 woodcut by war correspondent Hans Wandereisen shows the castle with an oversized bartizan on its battlement and a drawbridge that is not visible in the image.