Burgstall Torfelsen, building in Kinding, Upper Bavaria, Germany
Burgstall Torfelsen is a castle ruin on a rocky outcrop above the town of Kinding in Germany. The site shows the foundations of a roughly square fortified area with remains of a stone wall, on the east side there are foundations of a ring-shaped fortification, and within the rock formation lies a deep cave likely used for storage.
Burgstall Torfelsen was built in the Middle Ages on a natural rock formation and was part of a defensive system with two other sites nearby. The Emmendorf family, documented from the 12th century onward, was connected to the region and its fortifications, but the site fell into disrepair from the 15th century as the family disappeared from records.
The name 'Burgstall' refers to a place where a castle once stood, and this understanding shapes how locals view this site today. The ruins are part of a group of three medieval stronghold sites on rocky outcrops that together formed the area's defensive network.
The ruins are accessible via a marked trail from the nearby village of Unteremmendorf, which runs along the scenic rocky landscape and is part of the Altmühltal-Panoramaweg hiking route. It is wise to bring water or a small snack, as there are no shops or cafes directly at the site.
Within the rock formation lies a hidden cave that may have served as an escape route or storage place for the castle inhabitants. This underground feature shows how residents cleverly used the natural landscape for defense and security.
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