Burgruine Helfenberg, Medieval castle ruin in Velburg, Germany
Burgruine Helfenberg is a castle ruin in the Upper Palatinate perched at about 613 meters elevation, with stone walls and outer defenses surrounded by thick forest. The remains reveal foundations and broken walls where residential buildings, defense towers, and fortifications once rose.
The site first appeared in records in the early 13th century when Count Ulrich of Velburg granted it to the Diocese of Regensburg. It changed hands and purposes multiple times before suffering heavy damage during the Thirty Years War and entering a slow decline.
The name traces back to the medieval Helfenberger family who held power from this hilltop fortress. The stone remnants reflect how such strongholds served as control centers for regional nobility and their territories.
The ruin is reached via a marked hiking path starting between Lengenfeld and Velburg with a walk of roughly 20 minutes from the parking area. The path is clearly signed and remains passable in various weather conditions, making it accessible for most visitors.
Between 1699 and 1707, a Baroque palace was built upon the old foundations, with contributions from artist Hans Georg Asam. This transformation marked a complete change in the site's purpose, though the structure did not survive long after its completion.
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