Kugelsburg, Medieval castle ruin in Volkmarsen, Germany.
Kugelsburg is a castle ruin on Kugelsberg mountain with preserved walls, a tower structure, and underground chambers spreading across the hilltop. The subterranean spaces known as Hexenkeller are accessed through narrow staircases and form an important part of what visitors encounter.
The castle was built in the late 12th century to protect trade routes between Fritzlar and Paderborn. It changed hands several times and suffered significant damage during the Thirty Years' War and the Seven Years' War when French forces occupied and damaged it.
The fortress shows how medieval builders in northern Hesse designed their strongholds, with thick stone walls positioned on high ground in a way that reflects local construction methods from that time.
The site is open to visitors and the tower can be climbed for views across the surrounding region. The tight spaces in the underground chambers require careful footing, particularly on the narrow staircases.
The underground spaces were long called Hexenkeller, a name that reflects medieval superstitions rather than actual history. This evocative name continues to intrigue visitors exploring the chambers today.
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