Burg Heimhof, Medieval castle and archaeological site in Ursensollen, Germany.
Burg Heimhof is a castle complex sitting on a mountain spur in the Hausener Valley with three-story buildings and towers at its corners. The structure combines medieval fortifications with later modifications that shape the valley's profile distinctly.
Burg Heimhof was built in the 14th century by the lords of Haimenhofen and is documented in 1331 as a fief of Kloster Kastl held by the knight Heinrich Ettenstätter. In 1363 he sold it to his four nephews; in 1385 it passed to Dietrich Staufer zu Ehrenfels, who exchanged it in 1427 for the Veste Köfering with his brother-in-law Heinrich von Notthafft zu Wernberg. The lords of Ettling held it from 1477 to 1579, and in the 16th century it was rebuilt as a Schloss; Michael von Loefen later added a Renaissance wing on the south side.
The castle displays regional building traditions of Upper Palatinate with its characteristic stone and timber construction. The complex shapes the landscape of the Hausener Valley and remains visible from outside.
The site is privately owned and accessible to the public only from outside. A walk around the structure on valley hiking paths offers good views of the facades and surrounding terrain.
In the middle of the courtyard is a well 22 metres deep that reaches the groundwater. At a depth of six metres an underground passage branches off to an overgrown opening at the western foot of the castle, allowing the garrison to sortie during a siege.
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