Burgruine Poppberg

Birgland, Germany, Germany

---

Burgruine Poppberg is the remains of a medieval hilltop castle located on the summit of the Poppberg near Birgland in Bavaria.

The castle was probably built during the 13th century, likely by the Counts of Sulzbach, and occupied a strategic position overlooking important regional routes through the Franconian Jura. During its history, the castle belonged to several powerful rulers, including Emperor Charles IV, the Margraves of Brandenburg, Bavarian dukes, and the Palatine counts.

By the 15th and 16th centuries it had lost its importance, gradually fell into ruin, and was eventually abandoned. Today, the freely accessible ruins preserve parts of the former walls, residential building, and tower structures. Perched on a wooded hill at over 650 meters above sea level, the site is valued for both its medieval history and its scenic setting in the Upper Palatinate countryside.