Wallburg Bruchhauser Steine, Medieval fortified castle on Istenberg mountain near Olsberg, Germany
Wallburg Bruchhauser Steine is a medieval fortified site built across four massive rock formations near Olsberg, rising to heights of 756 meters (2,480 feet). Stone walls and defensive trenches connect these structures into an integrated defensive system.
The fortification began in the 6th century BC as a protection for copper and iron mining in the region. Archaeological evidence shows the site remained inhabited for over 2000 years continuously.
The site's name refers to the broken rocks and valley, marking where people lived and worked across many centuries. The rock formations still shape the local landscape today, showing how settlements and the natural environment were closely connected.
Access is via marked hiking trails starting from an information center that houses exhibits on geological and historical features. The routes are well-signposted, and the climb requires moderate physical fitness.
The four rock masses have individual names - Goldstein, Bornstein, Feldstein, and Ravenstein - with cyclopean walls carved directly into the stone formations. This building method shows how builders used the natural landscape as the foundation for their structures.
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