Winterstein (Hinteres Raubschloss)

Bad Schandau, Germany, Germany

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Winterstein, known as Hinteres Raubschloss or Rear Robber's Castle, is a medieval rock castle ruin on an isolated sandstone massif near Bad Schandau in Germany's Saxon Switzerland, likely built in the 13th century by Bohemian nobles like the Berken von der Duba or Markwartinge to control trade routes or as a defensive outpost.

First mentioned in records around 1378 as a pledged fortress, it changed hands through feuds like the Dohnaische Fehde in 1402-1404, passing to Saxon margraves before falling into disuse by 1441, with locals later calling it the "Rear Robber's Castle" due to tales of bandit knights.

Today, its remnants—carved chambers, walls, stairs, and a watchtower site accessible via narrow crevices—offer hikers panoramic views in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, with no major restorations as it's preserved as a natural historic site.