Erichsburg, Medieval castle ruins in Quedlinburg, Germany

Erichsburg is a castle ruin in the Harz Mountains near Quedlinburg with preserved stone walls and foundations on elevated ground. The site is surrounded by forest and the remains show portions of the original defensive structures.

The fortified manor of Erichsberg was first recorded in the 12th century, probably built to guard a trade route. In 1320 Count Henry of Stolberg bought it from Heineke of Hoym and Bertholdus II of Arnswald, and in 1325 enfeoffed it to the Bishop of Halberstadt. His cousin Hermann kept mercenaries there who raided Thuringia; in 1346 Margrave Frederick marched on the castle with citizens of Erfurt, Mühlhausen and Nordhausen, destroyed it, and it was never rebuilt.

The name Erichsburg survives in the nearby stamp point of the Harzer Wandernadel, a wooden box holding special stamp No. 5 for the castles and palaces badge of the Harzer Geschichtsorte booklet. The site lies by the historic Beckstraße on the Ramberg, above Friedrichsbrunn.

The site is reached through marked hiking trails that connect to the road network of Quedlinburg. It is advisable to wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for uneven terrain.

At the Erichsberg site stands a wooden box holding special stamp No. 5 of the Harzer Wandernadel, part of the Harzer Geschichtsorte: Burgen und Schlösser booklet. Hikers collect it alongside stamps at other Harz castles and palaces. The ruined walls, ramparts and moat nearby are all that remain of the castle razed in 1346.