Sichelnstein Castle Ruins
Description
The ruins of Sichelnstein Castle are located in the village of Sichelnstein, part of Staufenberg in Lower Saxony, Germany.
The castle’s origin and name are not clearly documented, but it likely dates back to the 9th century, built by descendants of Saxon nobles who settled in the region. A knight named Wittilo von Sichelnstein, mentioned in 933, is considered one of its earliest lords.
In 1372, during the Sterner War, Duke Otto the Quade of Brunswick rebuilt and fortified the castle to attack Hesse, but was defeated and had to surrender it in 1374. The castle changed hands frequently and later served as a widow’s residence and administrative center. By the 1500s, it was under Hessian control again. Villages around it paid taxes to the castle into the 16th century.
The castle was likely destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War and fell into ruin. Its stones were later reused in nearby buildings, including a church built in 1787. Only fragments remain today.
Restored between 1973 and 1979, the ruins now host cultural events. A covered open-air stage in the courtyard is used for concerts, weddings, and celebrations, making the castle a community cultural venue.
The castle had a horseshoe-shaped layout, with a thick outer wall up to 10 meters high. Inside, traces of medieval living quarters remain, including arrow-slit windows, fireplaces, and latrine turrets. A deep moat once protected the west side; the only entrance was a gate with a drawbridge on the east.