The Hanstein castle ruins is an imposing castle ruin on the Werra im Eichsfeld. The attachment is included Bornhagen about 20 km south of Goettingen. Together with the near one Devil's pulpit the castle is an attractive destination for a day trip.
background
The castle ruins with an eventful history go back to the aristocratic family von Hanstein, who built the castle from 1308 on behalf of the Archbishop of Mainz. Even before that, the hilltop of the Höhebeng was the seat of a castle complex, but it was destroyed again in 1070. Due to the growing area of the von Hanstein, the castle finally became a border post of the Eichsfeld, which had to be protected separately as an enclave of the Mainz electorate. Due to the remote location of the castle and the associated 21 villages, the economic situation stagnated, so that the von Hanstein family eventually became a robber baron family. To protect the trade routes from the robber knights, the opposite one was opened in 1415 Ludwigstein Castle built. In the Thirty Years' War the castle was finally destroyed by the Swedish troops and has not been permanently inhabited since then, even though it continued to serve as a meeting place for the Hanstein family.
During the German-German division, the castle ruins were used as observation posts for the GDR border troops and not open to the public. Nowadays there are committed efforts to restore and preserve the castle ruins. Due to numerous activities, the ruin not only attracts crowds of visitors to the annual medieval festival.
In June 2012 came the HansteinAs the castle ruins are also called, in a special honor: The castle was home to recordings for the film adaptation of the novel The Medicus held by Noah Gordon. After its eventful history, the Hanstein was also honored as a film set.
getting there
- 1 Hanstein Castle, Am Kulturzentrum 11, 37318 Bornhagen. Tel.: 49 (0)36081 61311, 49 (0)36081 67856 (Cash register at the castle), Fax: 49 36081 68545, Email: [email protected]. Open: April to October: daily 10: 00-18: 00, November to March: Saturday and Sunday 10: 00-16: 00.Price: € 3.50.
For the journey to Hanstein, Bornhagen at the foot of the castle hill is the starting point, there is no public transport connection to the higher Rimbach or even the castle ruins themselves.
By train
From the train station Arenshausen on the regional train line between Kassel main train station and Erfurt there are bus connections. The walk is 6.8 km.
The closest train station is actually in Eichenberg, but there is no bus connection to Bornhagen. However, it is possible to walk the 5.5 km (see map sketch for directions, please click to print out the A4).
By bus
Of Heiligenstadt from the bus line 16 drives over Uder, Arenshausen and Kirchgandern several times a day, but after Bornhagen only once a day. On Saturday mornings there is a RufBus connection, which must be ordered by telephone at 49 3605 515253
Bus line 14 from Lindewerra to Arenshausen runs several times a day Monday to Friday and runs via Bornhagen.
In the street
Of the 
exit in the Werra valley near Werleshausen. After crossing Werleshausen, a small road climbs steeply to the castle.
Of Goettingen on the direction Friedland, turn onto the road in the direction of Arenshausen. Via Hohengandern towards Gerberhausen, then towards Bornhagen.
By boat
With the canoe over the Werra to Werleshausen. From here you can hike up to the castle.
By bicycle
The Iron Curtain Trail leads through Bornhagen at the foot of the Hanstein.
Radler on the Werra cycle path can take the (steep) ascent to the castle from Lindewerra.
On foot
Hikers on the following (long-distance) hiking trails come through Rimbach or Bornhagen:
- Via Scandinavica, Scandinavian Way of St. James, which runs in Germany from Fehmarn to Eisenach leads
- Werra-Burgen-Steig
- Eichsfeld hiking trail
mobility
From the car park in Rimbach it is about 300 m on foot to the castle.
Tourist Attractions
Hanstein Castle is still quite well preserved. The imposing ruin sits partly like a "glove" on the rocks. Some historical rooms, including the Knight hall, have been preserved as closed rooms and partly furnished in a historical, partly more modern way - especially the knight's hall, which is used for wedding ceremonies
The 24 m high North tower is accessible, from its top one has an excellent view of the surrounding landscape of the three-state corner of Thuringia, Lower Saxony and Hesse and of the Werra Valley with Ludwigstein Castle. From up here the panoramic view extends to the on a clear day Chunks in the Harz.
Warning: The "expedition" to the keep is not for travelers who are afraid of confined spaces. The stairs become narrower towards the top of the tower, and there are several places where you cannot stand upright. The ascent is therefore not suitable for people with restricted mobility and very overweight visitors.
The 20 m high South tower is not accessible at its top, but you can climb a few meters in the stairwell.
There are numerous courtyards and terraces as well as some Cellar vault to discover. One can also see some instruments of torture from the Middle Ages.
activities
Hanstein Castle is the backdrop for a variety of events. On the official castle side is the Calendar of events to find.
Regular events:
- Medieval festival on the 1st weekend in August
- Medieval Christmas market
kitchen
- Kiosk at the castle entrance
- Klausenhof, Friedensstrasse 28, 37318 Bornhagen / Eichsfeld. Tel.: 49 36081 61422, Email: [email protected]. lies approx. 500 m below the castle.Open: Fri to Sun from 12:00 to 22:00; So 17:00 to 22:00 barbecue evening.
accommodation
- Two castle view, Hansteinstrasse 2, 37318 Bornhagen-Rimbach. Mobile: 49 172 3600545, Email: [email protected].
Practical advice
trips
- Hike to Devil's pulpit - About 3 km easy on partly beautiful hiking trail. This small rock cliff with a really great view of the valley should not be missed. Especially since you are in Forest inn can stop off at the café (see also the hiking map above).
- Hike to Ludwigstein Castle - A hiking trail connects both castles (about 4 to 5 km easy, but with a lot of altitude).
literature
- Josef Keppler: Hanstein, Ludwigsstein, Teufelskanzel and the Eichsfeldische Werraland. Verlag Mecke-Druck, Duderstadt 2008. ISBN 978-3-936617-83-2 , The 48-page brochure (format 12 x 17 cm) is available for € 4 at the castle ticket office (in 2008).
Web links
- burgruine-hanstein.de - the official website of the Bornhagen community on the castle (the community is the owner of the castle complex).
- burghanstein.de - Site of the Bornhagen Heimatverein, which looks after the castle
- Hanstein Castle - Extensive article in the Genwiki
- panorama-photo.net - Panoramic view from the north tower
