Burg Scharfenstein, Medieval castle in Münstertal, Black Forest, Germany.
Burg Scharfenstein is a stone fortress perched on a hill spur above Münstertal with structures dating from the 13th century. The site includes defensive walls and structures that show the layout of a medieval fortification.
The fortress was built in the 12th century as a defensive position and served noble families as both a residence and a fortification. The site held strategic importance in the Black Forest uplands for many years.
The fortress reflects building approaches typical of Black Forest fortifications and shows how defensive structures took shape in this region. The site shapes the valley landscape and connects to the stories of people who lived here.
The fortress is accessible via hiking trails in Münstertal, with parking available at the base of the hill. The path upward is not steep and takes around half an hour on foot.
From the fortress you can see directly across the entire Münstertal valley and into the densely forested Black Forest mountains. This view was not just beautiful in medieval times but also gave the castle lords clear sight of all movement in the valley.
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