No. 15548
Burg Ringelstein
Germany
CastleRuinFor events14th century
No. 42355
Castle · Germany
Burg Altenfels
CastleRuinPartially restored
No. 42355 · 51.413 N, 8.712 E
Quick summary
Burg Altenfels is a castle in Germany, listed as reference No. 42355.
Burg Altenfels is a castle in Germany with origins associated with the 11th century.
See all castles in GermanyBurg Altenfels stands above the town of Brilon in Germany and was built during the High Middle Ages by medieval German lords.
On the east summit a castle developed around 1100 and endured into the third quarter of the twelfth century, when it was destroyed in a fire. This eastern stronghold centered on two towers that likely served as living quarters, with the space between them defended by earthworks and trenches. The ruined eastern site was later excavated, its remains secured, and the area made accessible to the public.
The installation on the west summit was erected in the second half of the eleventh century, according to archaeological evidence. The west castle first appears in written records in 1144, when it is listed among properties of Count Siegfried IV of Boyneburg and Homburg, and it is cited again in a 1202 partition agreement among the sons of Henry the Lion. Over time the western position fell into other hands and came under the control of the Archbishops of Cologne. In 1294 Archbishop Siegfried of Westerburg gave assurances to the citizens of Brilon that they would not suffer damage from the restored complex, and the site is next documented in 1326 as housing an episcopal garrison. Archaeological findings indicate the western castle met its end in the fourteenth century. Remains on the west summit were examined in a rescue dig in 1968 but were later destroyed by quarrying operations.
Condition
The Altenfels hill is occupied by two separate medieval fortifications set on its west and east summits, with the mountain falling steeply some 150 meters to the south. The eastern position preserves the clearest archaeological evidence; it comprised two principal towers connected and protected by ramparts and a surrounding ditch, forming a compact defensive arrangement typical of hilltop sites from the High Middle Ages. The eastern castle existed from about 1100 until it burned in the late twelfth century. Surviving fabric includes sections of the outer wall, the remaining inner wall of the north tower, a rebuilt wall crown atop the south tower, and an earth rampart with its accompanying ditch on the east side. These elements have been excavated, conserved, and made accessible.
The western summit yielded archaeological traces that show the castle there was constructed in the latter eleventh century and stood until destruction in the fourteenth century. Remains on that summit were investigated during a 1968 rescue excavation, after which the area was heavily quarried and the archaeological features were removed. The western site is historically recorded as property in 1144, appears in a 1202 partition agreement, was later held by the Archbishops of Cologne, and is mentioned as hosting an episcopal garrison in 1326.
Location
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