Schenkenburg

Schenkenzell, Germany, Germany

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Schenkenburg is the iconic castle ruin overlooking Schenkenzell in Germany's Black Forest, built around 1220-1250 as one of the Kinzigtal's oldest fortresses and originally home to the Lords of Hohengeroldseck. Its well-preserved five-story palas tower with defensive slits and a 7-meter bergfried stump remain, offering stunning panoramic views of the Kinzigtal valley from a rocky spur above the village. Notably destroyed in 1534 by its own owner, Count Wilhelm von Fürstenberg, who burned it to the ground during a siege, the site now features a 1-km themed trail with 10 info panels detailing its history from the Schenken von Zell family through various owners. Easily accessed by a short uphill walk from a free parking lot near a restaurant at the base (off B462 between Schiltach and Schenkenzell), it's a popular free hiking spot blending medieval ruins with Schwarzwald nature.