Schloss Stiege, Medieval castle in Stiege, Germany.
Schloss Stiege is a castle complex in Oberharz am Brocken situated on a mountainside with four corner towers, of which only the southwestern tower remains as a fully preserved structure. The remaining buildings show varying degrees of deterioration and restoration, with the ruins still revealing the medieval design of the fortified site.
The castle was built around 919 under King Henry I as a hunting lodge and rest stop for travelers crossing the Harz Mountains. Over the centuries it changed hands several times and evolved from its original function into a residence for local noble families.
The castle served as a seat of noble families and functioned as an administrative center for the surrounding region. Today visitors can still see traces of this former importance in the preserved towers and the arrangement of the buildings.
The site is best reached on foot, as the castle sits on a hillside with some steep paths to navigate. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore the different areas and enjoy the views from the elevated location.
A massive drawbridge approximately 40 meters high once connected the castle across its defensive moat and demonstrates the elaborate defense mechanisms that medieval German castles employed. Such spectacular bridge constructions were rare in the region and made this site an exceptional fortification.
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