Top 20 Castles around Kelbra (Kyffhäuser)

At the heart of the western upper castle rises the Barbarossa Tower, a defensive and residential tower that once served as the lords' last refuge. Today, it houses two exhibitions on the history of the keep and the Kyffhäuser region's tradition of earthwork sculpture. Surrounded by partially preserved curtain walls, the foundations of the palace and kitchen building, and the historic Erfurt Gate, the world-famous deepest castle well in the world is located opposite the tower. Information about opening hours and admission prices can be found here: https://www.kyffhaeuser-denkmal.de/mein-besuch/.

According to this, Emperor Barbarossa sits asleep in the underground castle at a stone table

The castle well of the Kyffhäuser Monument is the deepest castle well in the world with a depth of 176 meters. It was driven into the rock between 1130 and 1170 and served to supply water to the castle residents. The water level remains constant at 9 meters, fed by seepage water. Modern camera movements allow visitors to look to the bottom of the well and gain a fascinating insight into medieval engineering. An absolute highlight of a visit to the Kyffhäuser Monument!

The Barbarossa Tower in the Kyffhäuser Mountains offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area and the Kyffhäuser Monument. Named after Emperor Frederick I, known as Barbarossa, the tower invites you to an exciting climb where you can experience nature and history. A must for every visitor to the region! 😄

The well on the Kyffhäuser is the deepest castle well in the world. The depth is about three times the height of the memorial tower. The well pipe has a diameter of just over 2 meters. The well is fed by seepage water, so it is not groundwater. It is believed that the well was driven into the rock between 1130 and 1170. At that time it served to supply water to the castle residents. A recent analysis has confirmed that the sample taken was of the highest drinking water quality.

The best preserved part of the Kyffhausen Imperial Castle is the lower castle, which was only uncovered in the 1930s and partially rebuilt. It has an almost closed ring wall that is preserved up to a height of 10 metres. In the lower castle, the remains of walls and foundations of residential and commercial buildings from various construction phases of the castle, as well as the stump of the keep, have been uncovered. In the rear part, next to the chapel that was renovated in the 15th century, a second tower, possibly a residential tower, has risen. The lower castle must have already existed in 1118, as there is clear evidence of the destruction that took place in that year. However, it is unlikely that it was founded much earlier than the 12th century.

The square keep of the upper castle is now called the Barbarossa Tower. The tower, which is still preserved up to a height of 17 metres, has three-metre-thick walls. It was originally said to have been 30 metres high. As with almost all keep towers, the common myth of older castle research was maintained here too, according to which it served as the last refuge for the castle lords. However, its real significance, in addition to its defensive potential, lay in its symbolic effect on rule and power. The Barbarossa Tower also has a residential function: it has two residential floors with fireplaces and toilet bay windows.

The tower can be seen from far away and it immediately draws you in. The view from above is the reward. The almost 10 € entrance fee is quite a lot.