Karlsfried, Medieval castle ruin in Zittau Mountains, Germany.
Karlsfried is a castle ruin in the Zittau Mountains, rising from a mountain ridge with an entrance tower, a square keep, and defensive walls forming its main structures. The stone remains are arranged along the height and show the typical layout of a medieval fortification.
Emperor Charles IV ordered the castle built in 1357 under the supervision of Burgrave Ulrich Tista von Liebstein. Later raids threatened its stability, and citizens of Zittau purchased and demolished it in 1442 to prevent further problems.
The castle served as a checkpoint for merchants traveling between Bohemia and Upper Lusatia, offering them protection. The ruins today stand as a reminder of how this place once guarded the trade routes that connected these regions.
The ruins are reached through hiking trails from the Zittau-Lückendorf road, with a shelter nearby for visitors. The path is best walked in dry weather, as the slope and terrain can be challenging.
The site is often overlooked today, yet it holds an important story of conflict between local powers that shaped the region. The decision by townspeople to destroy it themselves in 1442 shows a rare case where a city took control of its own security.
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