Unterfalkenstein Castle Ruin

En un regard

Le château en bref

The ruin of Unterfalkenstein is the more inconspicuous of the two Falkenstein castles, perched on the limestone cliffs overlooking the upper Danube valley near the hamlet of Thiergarten, in the municipality of Beuron, within the Upper Danube Nature Park. The two sites are closely linked: the upper castle, Oberfalkenstein, has retained a consolidated enceinte and buildings, while the lower castle preserves only a few stretches of masonry clinging to the rock. From the early fifteenth century, sources refer to it only as a "Burgstall", the site of a vanished castle, so it probably lost any residential function early on. Its position on a steep spur makes it a typical example of the small cliff-top castles along this spectacular stretch of the Swabian Danube, held by minor noble families who were vassals of more powerful lineages such as the Counts of Lupfen. Access to the remains is reserved for experienced climbers; walkers generally view the site from Oberfalkenstein or from the paths in the valley.