Teufelsstein

Teufelsstein is a medieval rock castle featuring a horseshoe-shaped rock formation at 400 meters (1,300 feet) above sea level below the Pfarrweisach district. The site sits in the Franconian Hassberge region, positioned about 500 meters south of the larger Burg Lichtenstein.

This fortress was built in the 11th or 12th century by the Lords of Lichtenstein as a strategic outpost. It served as a precursor to the larger fortification on the neighboring hill and helped control local trade routes in the region.

This site is known by the name Teufelsstein, which refers to a local legend about a knight who outwitted a demon. Visitors can experience how this story has shaped the identity and narrative of the region through its landscape.

The site is accessible through multiple hiking trails within Naturpark Hassberge, including the Burgruine Lichtenstein loop and the Eyrichshof Castle circuit. Sturdy footwear is recommended as the paths to the rock formations can be steep and uneven.

The castle entrance features a narrow, angled stair corridor with carved traces of two original wooden doors cut into the rock face. These construction details reveal how the defensive structure controlled and protected those passing through.