Spangenberg Castle, Medieval castle in Spangenberg, Germany.
Spangenberg Castle is a fortress above the town of Spangenberg in Hesse, with rectangular towers, Gothic elements, and thick walls rising about 40 meters high. Today it operates as a hotel and restaurant, with renovated rooms that maintain its medieval character.
The lords of Treffurt built the structure in 1235 to guard a trade route from Frankfurt to Leipzig before selling it to Hessian landgraves in 1350. Over the centuries, it changed hands several times and underwent phases of reinforcement and renovation.
The castle houses a hunting museum in its former armory, displaying trophies and written records that document local hunting traditions across several centuries. Visitors can see how hunting shaped regional customs and daily life over time.
The castle is accessible for overnight stays and restaurant visits, with the hunting museum available for viewing without prior booking. Comfortable walking shoes are helpful since exploring the fortress involves stairs and uneven surfaces.
During World War II, the fortress temporarily served as a prison for British officers before an American air raid caused considerable damage. This wartime history can still be traced today in the visible repairs on the walls.
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