エルリッヒの洞窟・トップ16

Not much of the former hilltop castle remains

A very beautiful and adventurous path to the secluded spot of the castle. Unfortunately, there are neither views nor information about the former site to enjoy. I either couldn't find the information board for the latter, or it has been removed. The former is not visible due to the very dense forest growth. Nevertheless, it's a worthwhile spot.

There isn't much left to see - but it's still a nice place to take a break.

The Staufenburg, located in the town of Zorge, was built as early as 1243. Count Dietrich von Hohnstein is considered to have built this castle on the Kleiner Staufenberg, and he probably built it as a means of exerting power against his opponents, the Counts of Clettenberg. The castle was initially founded illegally on the land of the Walkenried monastery. But in 1243 the Hohnsteiners were able to legalize the construction - in return for compensation payments. Ten years later the Hohnsteiner counts had won the feud with the Clettenbergers and taken possession of their castle. The Staufenburg had thus lost its strategic importance. The Hohnsteiners therefore had no further use for it and Count Heinrich von Hohnstein began negotiations again with the Walkenried monastery - for the purpose of buying back the Kleiner Staufenberg. The monks were interested and bought back the castle hill and castle in 1253 for 200 silver marks. The monastery was also allowed to demolish the castle. The Staufenburg, which was located on the eastern bank of the Zorge, about 0.5 km south of the southern end of the town, was not a particularly large complex. The inner castle had the dimensions of about 25 x 50 m with an elongated oval/polygonal shape. The inner castle, of whose buildings no structural remains remain, was probably surrounded by a simple ring wall, of which there are still remains on the southeast side. The ascent to the Staufenberg, which is now a nature reserve, can be made from Zorge. There is a kindergarten on the left-hand side of Staufenberg Street. About 30 m north of this, a narrow path branches off to the right at an acute angle uphill. This path later takes a zigzag course to the mountain saddle, from where it goes slightly uphill to the right. Source: https://www.burgen.ausflugsziele-harz.de/ausflugsziele-sehenswertes/burg-schloss/staufenburg-zorge.htm

Above the rock gate there is a very narrow path up...

The detour there leads up an adventurous and sometimes very steep path. Only remnants of the ramparts can be seen from the castle.

I ventured up the path. You go through the ditch. And past the wall. Then you can see why it was built right there.

Remains of the Staufenburg, you can still see the 2 ring walls and a few remains of the castle, an information board offers interesting facts