Schloss Wolkenstein, Medieval castle in Wolkenstein, Germany.
Schloss Wolkenstein stands on a steep rock face at approximately 1600 meters (5250 feet) elevation within the Puez Group of the Dolomites. Visitors can see the preserved southern walls and the castle courtyard that remain from the original structure.
The castle was built in the 13th century to watch over the trade routes that connected the valleys below. A Venetian siege in the 15th century caused significant damage to the structure.
The castle takes its name from the Wolkenstein family who ruled these mountains for generations. Oswald von Wolkenstein, a resident here, became famous for writing poems and songs that people still know today.
The castle is accessible on foot from Wolkenstein, though the path requires good hiking shoes and sure-footedness on mountain terrain. Bring warm clothing as the altitude and wind can make conditions cold even on sunny days.
Many visitors overlook that the castle's high elevation makes it fully accessible only during warmer months due to snow and weather. The harsh mountain climate has shaped the structure's survival far more than any siege or battle ever did.
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