Ruins of Raubschloss (Alteburg)

For centuries, the ruins of this castle were hidden in the forest. The Dörrbergische Forstmeister Carl Brückner had the remains of the wall excavated by his forestry workers with the approval of the Gothaische Staatsregierung from 1905 to 1908.
From the history and the owners of the castle is not known anything.
It is believed that the castle was one of the 66 robber baron castles, which were destroyed in 1290 by Emperor Rudolf of Habsburg and the Erfurt citizenry.
(Source: Information board at the ruin)

Robber's castle or "Alteburg" 🏰Legendary ruin from the High Middle Ages ⚔️
The so-called "robber's castle", which is the subject of several legends from the Thuringian Forest, is also often referred to as "Alteburg". The ruin is a rectangular fortification from the High Middle Ages that served to protect the former trade route from Erfurt across the Thuringian Forest to southern Germany.
The rampart in the east, remnants of the ring wall (reconstructed), the cistern and the moat are still preserved today. The castle was probably built in 1150 by the Counts of Käfernburg.
The name "robber's castle" seems to be based on the fact that the complex passed into the possession of robber barons several times during various battles in the 13th century.
The ruins are a popular tourist destination. It is located on the western spur of the Arlesberg in Gräfenroda between Dörrberg and Geschwenda on the northern edge of the Thuringian Forest, above the Erfurt-Oberhof-Suhl railway line, which runs through the valley of the Wild Gera.