Burg Altenwied, Medieval castle in Neustadt (Wied), Germany.
Burg Altenwied is a medieval fortress in Neustadt (Wied) built on a mountain spur with a pentagonal tower. The structure spreads horizontally along the ridge line and shows the typical construction style of Rhine castles from the Middle Ages.
The fortress was founded around 1100 as a seat for the Counts of Bilstein to administer their middle Rhine territories. It played an important role for a long time in regional control and securing this strategically valuable Rhine area.
The castle sits on a narrow mountain ridge and shapes how people see the middle Rhine valley today. Visitors immediately notice how its location was chosen for defense, experiencing the medieval idea of safety and control.
The fortress is visible from outside but cannot be visited from within. Those who want to photograph it or study its architecture find the best views from above and from the paths around the base walls.
In 2003, entrepreneur Jurgen Wirtgen bought the ruin and rebuilt it as a modern residence while preserving medieval elements. This blend of old and new makes the fortress an unusual example of how historic sites adapt to modern life today.
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