Burg Henneberg, Medieval castle ruin in Meiningen, Germany
Burg Henneberg is a castle ruin in Meiningen situated at about 510 meters elevation, with surviving sections of circular ramparts, a residential palace, and a partially preserved tower. The stone foundations and wall fragments clearly show the layout of a medieval fortress with both living quarters and defensive structures.
The fortress is first documented in 1096 and served as the main seat of the Counts of Henneberg until the dynasty ended with Count Georg Ernst in 1583. After the family line died out, the castle lost its political importance and gradually deteriorated into ruins.
The castle grounds were home to the Counts of Henneberg for generations, shaping the identity of the surrounding region. Today, visitors can walk through the remains and sense the connection between this fortress and the communities that lived in its shadow.
A converted observation tower allows visitors to climb and enjoy views across the Henneberg region extending into Bavaria. Wear sturdy shoes for exploring the uneven grounds, and allow time to wander through the various sections of the ruins at your own pace.
In 1880, the former keep was converted into an observation tower to give visitors new views of the landscape. Interestingly, a scaled replica of this castle was built in Hamburg in 1884 with no actual connection to the Henneberg counts.
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