Kastelburg

Waldkirch, Germany

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Kastelburg in Waldkirch, Germany, was built between 1260 and 1270 by the Lords of Schwarzenberg to defend the town and control the trade route through the Elz valley.

Its first known inhabitant was Johann I of Schwarzenberg. After the Schwarzenberg family died out in 1345, the castle passed through several owners, including Martin Malterer and Berthold of Staufen. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle was deliberately destroyed by imperial troops in 1634 to prevent it from falling into Swedish hands.

Today, the ruin stands romantically above Waldkirch's historic center and features a 28-meter-high square bergfried (main tower) with thick walls, a rondel, and a well-preserved palas (residential building). Preservation efforts have been ongoing since 2002, and the castle is a popular historic landmark with a scenic path called Ritterweg leading up to it, lined with knight statues.

Kastelburg remains a symbol of the town's medieval heritage and offers panoramic views of the Elz valley.