Drackenstein

Drackenstein is a hilltop castle ruin near Laimnau that sits at about 520 meters above the Argental valley. The site still shows the foundations and outlines of medieval defense structures, including two U-shaped moats and stone walls that spread across the landscape.

The castle was first recorded in 1480 as Trackenstein das Burgstall and served as a defensive stronghold in the region. It was part of the medieval defense network and eventually abandoned, leaving behind the ruins we see today.

This hilltop location played a key defensive role in medieval Baden-Württemberg and shaped how people controlled the surrounding valleys. The elevated position allowed residents to watch over trade routes and the lands below.

The castle site sits about 500 meters north of Laimnau church and is freely accessible year-round. The area is relatively easy to reach on foot and offers good views out over the surrounding valley.

A large ice-age gneiss boulder that was incorporated into the castle gave the site its name, Drackenstein. This distinctive stone remains visible among the ruins and connects the fortress to the natural geology of the area.