Burgruine Altenfels, Medieval castle ruin in Thuringia, Germany.
Burgruine Altenfels is a castle ruin in Thuringia featuring stone walls on a hill that show features from different medieval building phases. The site preserves wall segments that represent various construction periods from centuries of occupation.
The fortress was built during the Middle Ages under the name Castrum Walinvels and served as a strategic stronghold to control the region. Over time it lost its importance and fell into ruin.
The ruin displays how medieval fortifications were built and the techniques used by builders of that era. Visitors can see on the standing walls how construction happened in different phases over time.
Visiting requires hiking on unmarked trails and good preparation with water and supplies. Sturdy footwear and stamina are needed to reach the elevated location.
Sections of the walls still show traces of original white plaster from the 13th century. These remnants reveal how the structure looked during its original period.
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