Fürstenberg Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Höingen, Germany
Fürstenberg Castle consists of stone remains sitting on a hilltop above the Ruhr River, showing medieval fortifications and structures from the 13th century. Visitors can see two distinct fortification areas: the Oldenburg rampart system with the castle chapel and a medieval stone structure called Richters Kopfchen.
The castle was built around 1295 and served as a fortress for the Archbishop of Cologne until it was destroyed in 1343 by the Counts of Arnsberg and Mark. This destruction marked the end of its role as a power center in the region.
The Chapel on the Fürstenberg, documented since 1429, shows how religion shaped the design of the site. People visiting today can still see how faith and building traditions were intertwined in this place.
The site is easy to reach and can be explored on foot, with clear paths to both fortification areas. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven with rocky sections.
The fortress gave a family its name: a man called Hermann, who came from the Binolen family, adopted the name Fürstenberg after becoming the first knight of this castle. This was the origin of the House of Fürstenberg, which took its name directly from the site.
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