Burgruine Tachenstein, Castle ruin in Riedenburg, Germany.
Burgruine Tachenstein is a castle complex near Riedenburg with a surviving tower roughly 10 meters tall and foundation remains of other buildings on a ridgeline. The site sits at about 450 meters elevation and still shows visible sections of its defensive walls and former ditches.
The site was built between 1170 and 1180 and is first documented in 1189. In 1329 the castle passed to Bavarian dukes and later changed hands several times through marriages and inheritance disputes.
The ruins display regional stone construction techniques typical of medieval fortifications in this area. Visitors can observe these building methods directly while exploring the remaining walls and structures.
The ruins lie directly west of Riedenburg and sit within the Altmuehl Valley Nature Park. Marked trails are limited, so sturdy footwear helps, and visitors should note that the structures are fully exposed to weather.
The castle was a contested property among different noble families and changed hands through complicated inheritance arrangements. These conflicts ultimately led to the site's decline and explain why only fragments survive today.
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