Burg Henneberg, Medieval castle ruin in Meiningen, Germany
Burg Henneberg is a castle ruin near Meiningen, sitting at around 510 meters (1,670 ft) elevation, with sections of a circular rampart, remains of a residential hall, and a partly standing tower. The layout of the site makes it easy to read the original plan of a medieval fortress built for both living and defense.
The site is first recorded in 1096 and served as the main seat of the Counts of Henneberg until the line ended with Count Georg Ernst in 1583. Once the dynasty died out, the castle lost its role and slowly fell into ruin.
The Counts of Henneberg gave their name to the surrounding region, and the ruin still carries that connection today. Walking through the grounds, visitors can see wall sections that once formed the center of a wide territory.
The site is reached on foot and the ground is uneven, so sturdy shoes are a good idea. The converted tower is open to climb and offers a wide view over the region toward Bavaria, making it a natural stopping point during the visit.
The old keep was turned into an observation tower in 1880, giving the ruin a new purpose without changing its outline. A scaled replica of the castle was built in Hamburg in 1884, with no connection to the original counts or their history.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
