Burg Berneck, Medieval hilltop castle in Altensteig, Germany.
Burg Berneck is a medieval castle situated on a rocky hilltop between valleys. The structure leverages steep slopes as natural defensive barriers, while a massive shield wall reinforces the exposed side.
The castle was built between 1050 and 1100 as a seat of the noble lords of Berneck. After their dynasty ended in the 16th century, the structure lost its original function.
The name reflects its position on a rocky ridge where defenders could watch over the surrounding lands. Today visitors walking around the perimeter notice how the natural rock formations work together with the built structures to create a powerful defensive position.
The castle grounds are closed to public entry, but hiking trails circle the structure through the surrounding Black Forest. These paths offer good viewpoints of the castle from different angles.
The castle featured a moat specifically engineered to prevent rolling siege equipment like tower rams and battering devices from approaching. This design was an early example of advanced defensive engineering against contemporary attack methods.
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