Küssaburg, Castle ruin in Bechtersbohl, Germany
Küssaburg is a castle ruin in Bechtersbohl situated at about 634 meters in elevation with expansive views over the Rhine valley and the southern Black Forest. The remains show the layout of a medieval fortress with visible walls and foundations still embedded in the hillside after many centuries.
The fortress was built between 1125 and 1141 and changed hands several times before its garrison set it on fire in 1634 during the Thirty Years' War. A landslide in 1664 caused further damage to the structure.
The name may come from the Roman word Cossinius or from the German word Kissen, meaning cushion, referring to the mountain's rounded shape. You can sense this connection when walking around the site and observing the gentle slopes of the hilltop.
Visitors reach the ruins by following marked hiking trails through the Black Forest starting from Bechtersbohl village. The climb is manageable and offers spots to rest while enjoying views of the surrounding landscape.
A landslide on December 25, 1664, caused significant damage to the structure and shaped its current appearance. This rare event during this time of year is recorded in local documents and shows how natural forces and history intertwine at this location.
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