Burg Kalsmunt

Burg Kalsmunt is a castle ruin located on a basalt hill above Wetzlar with a square keep as its main structure. The fortress has thick defensive walls and sits elevated above the surrounding landscape, making it visible from various vantage points.

The fortress was built around 1180 by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa to protect royal holdings. It functioned as an imperial strongpoint to secure important trade routes of that era.

The fortress served as a toll administration center and held importance in overseeing medieval trade moving through the region. It represented how local authority managed commerce and movement of goods along key routes.

The site is accessible on foot from Wetzlar's old town via marked paths and trails. Visitors should expect steep slopes on the hill and wear appropriate footwear for exploring the ruins.

The name comes from Celtic origins and means a bare or bald mountain. The original keep was noticeably taller before it was deliberately reduced in size during later periods.