Todenwarth, Medieval castle ruin in Fambach, Germany

Todenwarth is a castle ruin perched on a steep rocky cliff rising about 270 meters above the surrounding landscape, commanding a view over the Werra River valley. The structure remains visible from several public vantage points along nearby roads.

The first written record of a fortification called 'Warthe' on this hilltop comes from 1185, when this area marked a territorial boundary between two regions. The site played an important role in controlling and monitoring this contested frontier.

The name "Tote Warte" was first recorded in 1432 and derives from the Dode, the steep rise above the Werra valley. The castle garrison was commanded by the Wolff brothers of Schmalkalden, who thereafter called themselves Wolff von Todenwarth and held the castle and estate until 1919. Today the Freundeskreis Todenwarth, founded in December 2005, promotes the restoration and the family history, and the ruin hosts cultural events.

The ruin stands on the northern steep bank of the Werra opposite Wernshausen, in the municipality of Fambach, close to today's B19. The site opens to visitors each year on the Day of Open Monuments; the Freundeskreis Todenwarth association, founded in December 2005, supports the restoration work.

The name Todenwarth derives from the Dode, the steep rise above the Werra valley, and was first recorded as "Tote Warte" in 1432. The Wolff brothers from Schmalkalden commanded the garrison and their descendants, the Wolff von Todenwarth, owned castle and estate until 1919.