Burgstall Alter Rothenberg, castle
The Burgstall Alter Rothenberg is an archaeological site on a hilltop in Simmelsdorf where a fortress once stood. The remains include earthworks, stone foundations, and a ring ditch that still show the inner and outer areas of the original structure.
The fortress was built around 1200 by the von Hiltpoltstein family and served under the control of the Bamberg bishops. A fire around 1300 destroyed it, and the family line ended shortly after, with the site then abandoned.
The name 'Burgstall' means 'castle site' in German and marks a place where a fortress once stood and served local needs. Today the remains show how people in medieval times built and arranged their fortified settlements in the landscape.
The site is freely accessible on a hilltop near Simmelsdorf and visitors can explore the ruins and earthworks at their own pace. Wear sturdy shoes as the ground is uneven and wooded terrain surrounds the area.
Pottery and metal objects from the high medieval period confirm human activity and shed light on daily life at that time. These archaeological finds show how people worked and lived here more than 800 years ago.
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