リングスハイムの洞窟・トップ18

The settlement of the landscape in Freiamt has probably in the 11./12. Century during the great clearing epoch of the Black Forest. Even then, people knew that there could be silver ore veins between the rocks in the federal sandstone in the Brettenbach valley. So the Zähringer dukes took favorable land and pushed out the smaller nobility who were busy with the clearing. The Zähringers appointed a able subject a knight of Keppenbach and ordered him to build a castle to protect the silver ore mines. This finally reaches a length of 200 meters and a width of 35 meters. However, the yield of silver was lower than hoped. Mining was abandoned around 1800 at the latest. The first written mention of the Knights of Keppenbach was in 1161. Hartmut von Keppenbach is listed as a witness in a purchase deed from Tennebach. Since the age of the castle is not known, it can be concluded that Keppenbach Castle already existed at this time. You can find more information about Bur Keppenbach on my homepage: https://www.breisgau-burgen.de/de/index.php/breisgau-burgen/burgen-a-h/burgen-f/freiamt-burg-keppenbach

A ruin that is easy to reach and the way there is fun. Paths over hill and dale or well-developed hiking trails offer something for everyone. The remains of the castle are well maintained.

Great cycle paths around the castle

The Lichteneck castle ruins are privately owned and are only accessible during castle tours. If you want to visit the castle outside of the opening hours, you can only view the complex from the outside. See opening times here: http://burg-lichteneck.de/index.php/32-uncategorised/64-burgfuehrungen

The knowledge gained during the excavations in 1926-1929 about the completely removed outer and middle castle lead to the floor plans exhibited on site. Of these parts, only the worked rock can be seen. In the former middle castle there is a rain-protected rest area. There are still a few walls from the main castle, which have also been supplemented and secured. I have no idea why a millstone was walled in with it. In any case, the ruin is nice and quiet and is worth a visit.

Great castle ruins - wonderful view, stairs to climb around and explore the walls.

The legend of the Grüselhorn has grown up around Lützelhardt Castle, according to which a gentleman from Geroldseck was abducted to Lützelhardt, discovered his whereabouts through a familiar horn call and was then able to free himself. After that, Lützelhardt was said to have been destroyed (around 1235).

Old partially renovated castle above Hecklingen with views of the Black Forest mountains and the Kaiserstuhl