Burg Maienfels, Medieval castle in Wüstenrot, Germany
Burg Maienfels is a medieval castle that sits on a rocky outcrop above the Brettach Valley and is surrounded by a ring wall of Staufer-era stone that remains mostly intact. The structure displays typical features of a fortified defensive site with walls and towers that protected the entire grounds.
The castle was built between 1230 and 1250 and first appeared in written records in 1302 as the seat of a branch of the Lords of Neudeck. After this initial documentation, it held significance in the region's medieval power structures.
The castle hosts concerts and exhibitions while serving as a private home for the Gemmingen-Hornberg family. Visitors can see how the space functions as a living place where history and present-day use coexist.
Visitors can explore the castle courtyard during opening hours, with bicycles required to be left outside the inner grounds for safety. The terrain calls for sturdy footwear, as stone pathways and stairs make up much of the access routes.
The castle preserves a medieval defensive walkway and a drop chute in its ring wall, representing rare examples of original military defense techniques. These features let visitors understand the everyday security measures of a past era.
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