Burg Schmalenstein, castle

Burg Schmalenstein is a castle ruin near Weingarten located on an island between two branches of the Walzbach River. The original structure had a square core with a large outer wall, and today only wall fragments up to about 16 feet (5 meters) high remain, accessible by a simple wooden footbridge.

The lords of Schmalenstein built the castle in the 13th century; it was first mentioned in 1262. It was destroyed in the 17th century. The rectangular core castle was entirely surrounded by a rectangular defensive wall, of which only a few remains survive.

The castle's name comes from the lords of Schmalenstein, who built it in the 13th century and were first recorded in 1262. The site lies between two arms of the Walzbach stream by a paper mill at the eastern end of Weingarten. No coat of arms or family symbols are documented in the sources.

The ruin sits along a quiet path following the southern branch of the Walzbach River and can be visited anytime. Access is via a simple wooden footbridge with no special requirements, making it a straightforward visit for anyone interested.

The castle is documented in 1262, but the rectangular core was entirely enclosed by a rectangular defensive wall, of which only a few remains survive. Visitors can still trace the line of that wall in the terrain between the two arms of the Walzbach.