Burgruine Altenstein, Medieval castle ruin in Asbach-Sickenberg, Germany
The castle remains stand on a mountain spur at 350 meters elevation, featuring a rectangular layout with remnants of a main castle, residential building, and square tower.
Built around 1180, the castle served as a border fortification against Mainz Eichsfeld until 1375 when the Hanstein family captured and controlled the structure.
The castle structure demonstrates the architectural methods of medieval defensive constructions, with its strategic position overlooking the upper valley of Alten Hainsbach.
Visitors can access the ruins through marked hiking trails, offering opportunities to examine the remaining walls and foundations of this thirteenth-century fortification.
The castle tower measures 7.5 meters square with walls only 1.1 meters thick, making it notably thinner than typical medieval fortification structures of that period.
Location: Asbach-Sickenberg
GPS coordinates: 51.28550,10.05670
Latest update: March 4, 2025 10:47
Thuringia contains a notable variety of historic sites, from medieval castles on wooded heights to baroque palaces in landscaped parks. The region preserves Romanesque monastic complexes such as Paulinzella, Renaissance residences including Wilhelmsburg in Schmalkalden, and significant collections like the Lindenau Museum in Altenburg. Beyond architectural landmarks, Thuringia offers geological features: the Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes are considered the most colorful show mine in the world, the Barbarossa Cave near Rottleben is one of Europe's largest anhydrite caves, and the Morassina healing caves in Schmiedefeld have served therapeutic purposes since the 19th century. Cultural institutions range from technical museums such as the Ziegenrück hydroelectric power museum to the Apolda bell foundry museum and botanical installations like the Japanese garden in Bad Langensalza. Historic transportation systems including the Oberweissbach mountain railway, which has covered a vertical rise of 1,060 feet (323 meters) since 1923, complement the offerings. Natural monuments such as the Dragon Gorge near Eisenach, a narrow ravine with rock walls reaching 33 feet (10 meters) in height, and viewpoints like Leuchtenburg above the Saale valley combine natural and cultural experiences.
Schloss Rothestein
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Grenzmuseum Schifflersgrund
4.4 km
Schifflersgrund
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Kalkklippen der Gobert
3.2 km
Catholic Church Fürstenhagen
4.5 km
Hohestein
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Christuskirche
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Burganlage Volkerode
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St. Martin
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St. Michael (Volkerode)
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2.1 km
St. Martin
4 km
St. Nikolai
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St. Bonifatius (Wüstheuterode)
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St. Georg
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Allerheiligenkirche
2.8 km
St. Martin
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Ev. Kirche
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Allerheiligenkirche (Schwobfeld)
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Dieteröder Klippen - Hühneberg
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Werrabergland südwestlich Uder
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Wiesenfeld estate
4.1 kmReviews
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