Burg Löffelstelz

Burg Löffelstelz is classified as a shield wall castle, characterized by a massive defensive wall designed to protect the most vulnerable side of the structure. The remaining shield wall is approximately 2.7 to 2.8 meters thick and rises to an estimated height between 22 and 25 meters. This wall not only served as a formidable barrier but also functioned as a lookout platform, allowing defenders to watch for approaching enemies and maintain visual communication with other nearby castles.

The castle’s inner courtyard measures about 29.5 by 21.5 meters and was enclosed by the defensive walls. The main entrance was located in the southern section of this shield wall, controlling access to the site.

Within the courtyard, archaeological investigations have identified the foundations of three original buildings, all constructed directly atop the bedrock of the hill. In the southeast stood what is believed to have been the main residential structure, a multi-story stone building. Around 1400, this building was modified to include a vaulted cellar approximately 2.7 meters high, indicating efforts to adapt the space for storage or structural support.

On the southwest side, another stone building once measured roughly 8.8 by 8.7 meters and included a cellar. This structure was destroyed by fire around 1260 or 1270 but was rebuilt about 1275, probably under the direction of Heinrich von Dürrmenz. Its ground floor had limited lighting, suggesting use as an armory or storage, while the well-lit first floor contained a “Ritterstube,” or knight’s chamber, serving as a reception or living space. Later in its use, this building was expanded with a timber-framed story that extended beyond the stone walls below.

To the northwest, the remains indicate a stone building that had been demolished before the construction of the shield wall, replaced temporarily by a timber-framed wall. This western area, including the palas—a main residential hall—and ancillary structures, was also reconstructed after the mid-13th century fire.

A later addition to the castle was a multi-story stone residential tower positioned in the northeast corner. This tower’s ground floor consisted of two rooms covering about 8.6 by 4.9 meters, likely providing both defensive and living functions.

Two smaller wooden annexes were attached to the western side of the eastern buildings during a subsequent construction phase, indicating continued adaptation of the castle’s interior spaces.

Archaeological layers confirm a major conflagration around 1500, which destroyed the castle’s buildings. The paucity of domestic artifacts recovered supports the idea that the fire was intentional, aligning with historical accounts of military actions. Presently, visitors can observe fragments of the residential tower and various sections of the castle’s walls.

Restoration work carried out between 1902 and 1911 introduced a gate arch at the entrance, featuring three coats of arms: the left displays the emblem of the lords of Dürrmenz, the right shows the dates 1282 to 1711, and the center bears a family ring emblem. These additions commemorate the castle’s noble ownership and its historical timeline.

Located on a prominent hilltop, Burg Löffelstelz was strategically positioned to oversee the surrounding region and to communicate visually with other fortifications, a testament to its role within a broader system of medieval defenses.