Burg Maienluft, Medieval castle ruin in Wasungen, Germany

Burg Maienluft in Wasungen consists of a lower outer bailey, of which remains survive, and a higher main castle entered through a pointed-arch gate at the southwest corner. Parts of the ring wall and the square keep of red sandstone ashlar, probably built in the early 13th century on the attack side, still stand; its pointed-arch high entrance was added later and the top floor is new. The former estate buildings now house a hotel and restaurant.

The castle was built before 1150 and first documented in 1190, becoming an administrative center under the Counts of Henneberg-Schleusingen. Its development reflects the political importance this location held for centuries.

The name Maienluft first appears around 1500, when the castle had lost its military role and the medieval Vorwerk became a state domain; a ducal tenant is recorded in 1526. After the Saxon-Meiningen duke sold the castle in 1898, an inn was set up, and the present owners have restored it since 1992. Today the former economy buildings hold a hotel and restaurant.

The ruin stands above Wasungen; the surviving ring wall and keep are reached on foot, while the former estate buildings house a hotel and restaurant. The square keep of red sandstone was built on the attack side and its pointed-arch high entrance was added later. Parts of the outer bailey are still visible.

The name Maienluft first appears around 1500, when the medieval Vorwerk became a state domain and a ducal tenant is recorded in 1526. The keep is built of red sandstone blocks and was probably erected in the early 13th century on the castle's exposed attack side; its pointed-arch high entrance was added later and the top floor is a modern addition.