Frauenstein, Medieval castle ruins in Schwangau, Germany.
Frauenstein is a medieval castle site in Bavaria whose stone foundations and defensive ditches occupy a rocky outcrop above Alpsee lake. The remains display the typical layout of a high medieval fortification positioned for strategic advantage.
First recorded in 1290 as 'castrum Frawenstein', it served the Lords of Schwangau as an administrative stronghold in their service to the Welfs and Staufers. This family held considerable influence in the regional feudal structure for centuries.
The site formed part of a network of four fortifications controlled by the Lords of Schwangau, demonstrating their territorial authority in the region. These structures helped monitor trade routes and lands under their watch.
The archaeological remains are reachable from Hohenschwangau Castle via a marked hiking trail approximately 15 minutes' walk away. The path crosses wooded terrain and rocky ground, so sturdy footwear is advisable.
King Maximilian II commissioned a monument in the 1800s that transformed the ruins into a viewing point for visitors. Today, increased forest growth has obscured many of those earlier vistas, giving the site a hidden quality.
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