Burg Winterstein, Medieval castle ruin in Waltershausen, Germany.
Burg Winterstein is a castle ruin near Waltershausen in Thuringia, built from stone with visible Gothic pointed arches and a half-timbered building standing among the remains. The site sits at approximately 370 meters elevation and occupies a maintained park that preserves its structures.
The Wangenheim lords established this fortified water castle in 1307 to strengthen their power in the region. Major renovations took place in 1513, but the complex suffered serious damage during the Thirty Years War.
Local stories connect this place to a dog named Stutzel who reportedly carried love letters between here and Gotha, which led to a marriage in the Wangenheim family. These tales show how deeply the castle is woven into the region's collective memory.
The grounds include a small local history room and offer lodging on site, allowing for a longer visit if desired. Multiple hiking trails connect the ruins to the surrounding Thuringian Forest Nature Park, making it part of broader outdoor activities in the area.
A second castle complex called Sommerstein stands on the southern edge of the village and formed part of a connected defensive system with this site. Together, these two structures created a double fortification that reinforced control over the valley below.
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