Kleine Harzburg, Medieval castle ruin in Bad Harzburg, Germany.
Kleine Harzburg is a castle ruin perched on a hilltop near Bad Harzburg, with surviving foundation walls, tower remnants, and a moat that divided the structure into two sections. The remains clearly show the layout and fortifications of the medieval fortress.
King Henry IV commissioned the fortress between 1065 and 1068 as a strategic stronghold to secure control of the region. The site was later rebuilt under Frederick Barbarossa and remained an important seat of regional power for centuries afterward.
The site displays its medieval past through visible stonework and how the ruins sit within the surrounding landscape. Visitors can trace the layout of the former structure and understand how the fortress once operated.
The ruins are accessible via the Burgberg Cable Car, which has operated since 1929 and carries visitors directly uphill. Clear signage and informational displays help you navigate and understand the site.
Emperor Otto IV spent his final days at this site and died here in 1218 after losing his empire. This moment connects the ruins to a dramatic chapter in German imperial history.
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