Burg Hohenkarpfen, Medieval castle ruins in Hausen ob Verena, Germany
Burg Hohenkarpfen is a castle ruin in Hausen ob Verena in Baden-Württemberg, located at about 911 meters elevation with remnants of a triangular outer bailey, main castle, and square residential tower. The site features several fortification levels arranged one above another with distinctive stone walls.
The castle was founded around the year 1000 and first appears in documents in 1050 linked to the Lords and Knights of Karpfen. It served as a residence for local noble families for several centuries.
The castle displays the building methods of medieval fortifications in this region, constructed from white Jurassic limestone that resembles the stone of nearby Hegau volcanoes. Visitors can see these construction techniques in the remaining stonework.
The castle ruin is accessible via marked hiking paths from Hausen ob Verena and offers views across the surrounding landscape. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven and sometimes steep.
During the Thirty Years' War, imperial forces and residents of Villingen destroyed the castle, which was never rebuilt afterward. This attack marked the end of its role as a fortress and residence.
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