Schnepfenburg, Medieval castle ruins in Bad Salzungen, Germany
Schnepfenburg is a castle ruin on a hill at the southern edge of Bad Salzungen's old town, rising about 20 meters above Burgsee lake. Today the medieval foundations support the district courthouse and the church of St. Simplicius, both built on this historic location.
The castle was built around 1160 under the abbey of Fulda and quickly became part of Bad Salzungen's city fortifications. It served as a key southwestern defensive position protecting the growing salt-trading town.
The name comes from water birds that nested on the rocky cliffs, not from romantic tales of castle maidens as local legend suggests. This connection to nature shapes how visitors experience and relate to the place today.
The site is easily accessible from the old town center and offers good views of the surrounding landscape and the lake. The elevated location makes it straightforward to reach, though visitors should expect uneven terrain.
Archaeological findings show that Celts established a fortified settlement here after discovering salt sources in the area. This early connection between salt extraction and defense made the location strategically important for centuries.
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