Castle Thurneck

Mönchsdeggingen, Germany, Germany

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Castle Thurneck, also known as Burg Thurneck, is the site of a medieval hilltop castle overlooking the village of Thurneck near Mönchsdeggingen in Bavaria, Germany. The castle was first mentioned in 1251 and served as the ancestral seat of the noble Lords of Thurneck, although its origins may date back to the early 12th century. Over the centuries, the property passed to the Counts of Oettingen and other noble families. After 1523, the castle was no longer inhabited and gradually fell into ruin. Stones from the abandoned fortress were later reused to build and enlarge a nearby hunting lodge, which itself disappeared in the 19th century. Today, only remnants of the castle remain, including sections of masonry, earthworks, and an impressive defensive ditch that is unusually large for a castle of its size. The wooded site is privately owned and stands as an interesting reminder of the region’s medieval history.