Reichsburg Kyffhausen mit dem Kyffhäuserdenkmal

The ruins of the Reichsburg Kyffhausen and the Kyffhäuser monument are enthroned high up on the Kyffhäuserburgberg. When exactly the castle was built is not clear, but there are finds that show that the mountain was inhabited as early as the Stone Age. The upper, lower and middle castles experienced their heyday in the 12th and 13th centuries and they owe their fame to the Barbarossa saga even today. He is said to have visited the castle in 1174. After his death, the local legend arose that - briefly summarized - Barbarossa was banned in a mountain and was waiting for his return. The return is intended to bring back the peace and prosperity of the emperor's reign.

The construction of the Kyffhäuser monument in the 19th century by the German Emperor Wilhelm I is also related to this legend. At that time the belief was widespread that Wilhelm I fulfilled the legend of Barbarossa through the unification of the empire.

You can find all the important information about the opening times of the monument and possibilities to visit the Reichsburg here: kyffhaeuser-denkmal.de.

Die Oberburg war mit einer Länge von rund 350 Metern die größte Burganlage der einstigen Reichsburg Kyffhausen. Alle noch vorhandenen Ruinen im unteren Teil der Oberburg wurden beim Denkmalbau Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts zerstört. Da man keine Aufzeichnungen über die Lage der Ruinen und die Art der Gebäudereste machte, gingen auf diese Weise wertvolle Informationen für immer verloren.

Nur wenige Bauwerke der einstigen Oberburg sind noch heute zu sehen. Diese befinden sich alle im gut erhaltenen westlichen Teil der Burganlage.

Das auffälligste Gebäude der Oberburg ist der Stumpf des Barbarossaturms. Seit Jahrhunderten prägt dieser Bergfried das Gesicht des Burgberges und der Ruine der Burg Kyffhausen. In der Stauferzeit wurde der Barbarossaturm als Wohnturm und letzte Zufluchtstätte errichtet und war damals etwa 30 Meter hoch. Mit einer Mauerstärke von 3 Metern im unteren Bereich und einem Eingang in 10 Meter Höhe war er seinerzeit praktisch uneinnehmbar. In den 90er Jahren des 20. Jahrhunderts wurde der Barbarossaturm aufwendig saniert.

Ein weiterer gut erhaltener Teil der Oberburg ist das auch als "Erfurter Tor" bezeichnete Burgtor. Es ist ein einfaches Kammertor und besitzt keine der typischen Verteidigungsanlagen wie Zugbrücke oder Gußlöcher. Sein Schutz erfolgte über die Wehrgänge der hier rechtwinklig zum Tor verlaufenden Burgmauern. Das Burgtor ist historisch besonders wertvoll, da es noch in seiner ursprünglichen romanischen Form erhalten ist.

Eine besondere Attraktion ist der Burgbrunnen. Er ist 176 Meter tief und damit der tiefste Burgbrunnen Deutschlands. Der Brunnen wurde in reiner und jahrzehntelanger Handarbeit in den Felsen geschlagen. In den 30er Jahren des 20. Jahrhunderts wurde der bis dahin verschüttete Brunnen freigelegt und restauriert. Seit dieser Zeit können die Besucher der Burg wieder einen Blick über den Brunnenrand in die Tiefe riskieren. Es ist immer wieder beeindruckend, zu beobachten, wie lange einer der hier käuflich erwerbbaren und anschließend in den Brunnen geworfenen Steine benötigt, um bis zum Grundwasser zu gelangen.

harzlife.de/harzrand/kyffhausen_oberburg.html

The castle museum was only built on the monument site in 1935/36. Numerous finds from the excavations that lasted until 1938 are shown. The focus is on the Reichsburg Kyffhausen and the Barbarossa legend. A clear model of the Reichsburg shows the viewer the size, which in reality can no longer be grasped in this dimension. The Kyffhäuser monument from the idea to the GDR era is presented in an exhibition on the ground floor of the monument. Handling, appropriation and interpretation in the epochs of the Weimar Republic, National Socialism and the GDR era are presented, as is the fantasy of the “German National Festival”. Similar to an ancient amphitheater, a gigantic grandstand with a capacity of 400,000 was to be built opposite the monument. Source: kyffhaeuser-denkmal.de

Impressive ruin of a ring wall surrounded by approx. 100 m. On the north side the wall still has its original size of over 10 m.

open from Apr.-Oct., daily 9: 30-18: 00, Nov-Mar, 10: 00-17: 00, adults 7,50 €, children up to 6 free.

In the Reichsburg are three separate, separated by section trenches medieval fortifications. These castles are called upper, middle and lower castle. With a length of over 600 meters and a width of around 60 meters, they form one of the largest castles in Germany. Together with the castle museum and the Kyffhäuser monument located in the castle grounds, the castle is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Germany, which is well known especially by the Barbarossa or Kyffhäuser legend.

Here is the deepest castle fountain in the world with 176 m depth. On an information board more castle wells are shown in comparison. With this one can also stones (in the adjoining machine available) interject, it is a kind of hands-on game for children. Very funny, because the caveman then speaks to you: D

The view into the fountain is breathtaking. Must see!!!

The “castle fountain” experience remains in the memory of every visitor to Kyffhäusler. A look over the walled edge of the fountain leaves all visitors in awe. The other end of the fountain is 176 m in the direction of New Zealand, making the fountain on the Kyffhäuser the deepest castle fountain in the world. The depth is roughly three times the height of the monument tower. The well tube has a diameter of just over 2 m. The well is fed by seepage water, so it is not groundwater. The drainage over a crevice keeps the water level constant at 9 m. It is believed that the well was driven into the rock between 1130 and 1170. At that time it served to supply the castle residents with water. Incidentally, a recent analysis confirmed that the sample taken was of the best drinking water quality. Shaft and conveyor technologies are presented in a film and on display boards. A real and a computer-simulated tracking shot down to below the water level to the bottom of the fountain gives all visitors an idea of how difficult and arduous the miners' work was. But secrets are also revealed. What does a canary, for example, have to do with a secret passage? Source: kyffhaeuser-denkmal.de

The mighty, once 600 m long castle was completed in the reign of Friedrich I. Barbarossa (1152-1190). There is no record of him staying in his castle, but it is likely. Due to the monumental size of the Kyffhäuser monument, partly overbuilt and pushed into the background, one can still admire impressive, medieval architecture today. The Barbarossaturm of the upper castle, a square, today 17 m high keep ruin with 3 m thick walls, lets every visitor feel the defensive strength of this castle. Source: kyffhaeuser-denkmal.de

The monument was erected in honor of Emperor Wilhelm I in the years 1890-1896.

The Barbarossaturm in the center of the upper castle has been very well renovated. It was once 30 m high, of which 17 m are still preserved today. Inside there are two showrooms. The Erfurt Gate and the deepest castle fountain in the world are among the surviving remains of the upper castle.

The view from the monument is overwhelming, whoever has the opportunity, even at night, when it is lit.

The old imperial castle Kyffhausen, once one of the largest castles in the Middle Ages ...

A super monument and a castle must visit for each of the Kyffhäuser

Definitely worth a visit. It has a great view over the Golden Aue to the Harz (Brocken)

Worth knowing about the monument can be found ---> deutsche-schutzgebiete.de/wordpress/kyffhaeuserdenkmal

In the Reichsburg are three separate, separated by section trenches medieval fortifications. These castles are called upper, middle and lower castle. With a length of over 600 meters and a width of around 60 meters, they form one of the largest castles in Germany. Together with the castle museum and the Kyffhäuser monument located in the castle grounds, the castle is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Germany, which is well known especially by the Barbarossa or Kyffhäuser legend.

The old emperor Friedrich Rotbart ("Barbarossa") stands today for unity, prosperity and justice in the realm of the Germans. So today he appears very up to date. Only he himself does not appear - too bad.

The Kyffhäuser monument (also Barbarossadenkmal) is an emperor William monument in the Kyffhaeuser mountains in the area of the former imperial castle Kyffhausen in the district of Steinthaleben in Thuringia Kyffhäuserkreis. The 81 m high monument was erected between 1890 and 1896 in honor of Emperor Wilhelm I and is the third largest monument in Germany after the Monument to the Battle of Leipzig and the Kaiser Wilhelm monument at the Porta Westfalica.
Source and more: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyffh%C3%A4userdenkmal

Absolutely up and enjoy the view !!! The tower is of course the highlight, but there is much more to discover on the whole area and in the area. Also very impressive at night when the monument is illuminated.

The epitome of German history. According to legend, at some point Emperor Barbarossa will rise again. Whoever stands here even believes it. Simply great and a great view.

At the foot of the Kyffhäuser monument is in a historic building a hotel with restaurant, worthwhile locality.

So much history. Here you just have to be seen.

You can not only go outside the tower a bit to have a great view, but it is really worth going in there. On many steps one reaches helically upwards. A little exhausting but worthwhile. The tower also houses a small museum with information.