Hiltenburg Castle Ruins

Bad Ditzenbach, Germany

Hiltenburg Castle in the Upper Fils Valley stands on the strategically advantageous, 707-m-high conical mountain peak of the Schlossberg, overlooking Bad Ditzenbach. Up until the 16th century it was the seat of the Counts of Helfenstein. In 1516 it was destroyed by Duke Ulrich of Württemberg, who was passing through on his way from Blaubeuren to Stuttgart. A cannonball from the Hiltenburg happened to land in Ulrich's camp, and this caused the Duke, who was known for his extremely hot temper, to have his men burn down the castle. The extensive complex is at present undergoing renovation.

Two vaulted cellars have been excavated, and archaeological finds attest that the Hiltenburg site was already populated as far back as the Bronze Age (c. 1000 BC). From the observation platform of the Hiltenburg's tower hikers can enjoy magnificent views of the Upper Fils Valley.

References:

stuttgart-tourist.de

Address

Bad Ditzenbach, Germany

See all sites in Bad Ditzenbach

Details

Founded: 1289
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in Germany
Historical period: Habsburg Dynasty (Germany)

More Information

www.stuttgart-tourist.de

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Kevin Stampfly (2 years ago)
Roughly a 1.5 km hike from parking area to the actual Ruins. Not a whole lot to see once there, however the view is nice and is a great place for a picnic or barbecue.

Georgios (3 years ago)
This is very nice place for visit. I recommend it. Little bit hard walk way up to the hill but it is good pice for nice view.

Vincent Toraille (3 years ago)
Nice view

Alan W. (4 years ago)
Beautiful view! Great place to chill and have Barbeque.

alejandro rodriguez (5 years ago)
nice place

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.