Kyffhausen Castle, Medieval castle ruin in Kyffhäuser hills, Thuringia, Germany
Kyffhausen Castle is an extensive ruin spread across the northeastern edge of the Kyffhäuser mountain range in Thuringia, stretching roughly 600 meters in length. The complex contains several building remnants with a notable keep that rises above the surrounding structures and offers views across the landscape.
The fortress was founded around 1000 CE under Emperor Henry IV to protect royal lands south of the Harz Mountains. It was first documented as destroyed in 1118, after which it was rebuilt and modified several times before eventually being abandoned.
The ruins have inspired German writers and thinkers for centuries, with legends of Emperor Barbarossa sleeping beneath the mountain becoming part of the site's cultural meaning. This mythology transformed the location into an important symbol within German imagination and storytelling traditions.
You can climb the tall keep to see exhibitions about the castle's history while enjoying views of the surrounding landscape from above. The site is walkable on foot, with paths that guide you through different areas of the ruins.
Within the castle grounds is a medieval well reaching approximately 176 meters deep, ranking among the deepest castle wells in Central Europe. This impressive shaft was a technical achievement of its era and demonstrates the considerable effort invested in securing the water supply.
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