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| Weidelsburg | ||
| federal state | Hesse | |
|---|---|---|
| height | 492 | |
no value for height on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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The Weidelsburg is the largest castle ruin in North Hesse. She lies in Habichtswald Nature Park on a striking 492 m high basalt dome. The landmark of the Wolfhager Land can be seen from afar. So you have a beautiful panoramic view from the former East Palace. After the renovation of the Weidelsburg was completed, the viewing platform on the East Palace has been accessible again since summer 2011.
The ruin is freely accessible.
View up to the east palace, on which the viewing platform can be found |
 When the flag is hoisted at the lookout point, you can buy food and drink in the castle |
background
The castle was built in the 12th century. The exact time is unknown. The purpose of the construction was to secure the traffic routes and the Thuringian border in the region.
In 1266 the complex was sold to the Archdiocese of Mainz, which with the Naumburg enclave owned property in the region. The Hessian destroyed it in 1275 Landgrave Heinrich I. the plant in a dispute with the Archdiocese of Mainz.
In 1380, Landgrave Hermann II of Hesse and Count Heinrich VI tried. von Waldeck to rebuild the castle. After two years, however, the company came to a standstill as the Archdiocese of Mainz asserted older rights. The Archdiocese of Mainz finally rebuilt the complex around 1390.
In 1402/03 the system was partially destroyed again by the Hessian landgrave as part of the ongoing disputes between Mainz and Hesse. In 1431 the Archdiocese of Mainz appointed Reinhard von Dalwigk as bailiff at the castle. This pugnacious gentleman fueled the smoldering conflict between the two houses by causing unrest in the region. Therefore, Hessen besieged the Weidelsburg twice (1443 and 1448).
The legend of the Hessian faithfulness to women supposedly goes back to the final expulsion in 1448 back.
From the 16th century the complex fell into disrepair (probably after a fire). The remaining ruins were restored between 1979 and 1987. Most of the parts still preserved today come from the reconstruction of 1390.
As the owner, Hessen Forst carried out extensive renovation measures from 2008 to 2011. Around 700,000 euros went into maintaining the castle. A support association was also founded in 2011. More information at www.weidelsburg.de
The legend of the giant stone and the giant
The giant Goliat from Homberg an der Efze hurled a boulder a long time ago in order to destroy the Weidelsburg. When throwing the stone, however, he slipped out of his hand, so that the sandstone missed the castle. The projectile landed on the Heiligenberg southeast of the Weidelsburg. Goliath sat down on the stone and wept with bloody tears because he had lost his reputation as a castle conqueror. He forgot to eat and drink out of sorrow. So he died on the spot. The giant stone is still on the Heiligenberg today. By the way, you can still see the indentation in the stone that the giant left behind when he sat on the stone.
If you feel like it, you can still visit the 9 m high boulder today. It is included 51 ° 11 '50 "N.9 ° 12 ′ 40 ″ E and is a nice destination for a bike tour from Ippinghausen on the Hessian long-distance cycle route R4 towards Fritzlar. More information about the boulder can also be found in the Wikipedia article on the stone.
getting there
In the street
The supra-regional approach is via the Kassel Dortmund motorway. If you are coming from the east, leave the A 44 at the Zierenberg exit. From here on the federal road 251 to Ippinghausen.
The federal road 251 from Kassel to Korbach leads directly through Ippinghausen, the place below the castle. In Ippinghausen turn towards Naumburg. Here on the main road, the Weidelsburg is already signposted with white signs.
At the end of the village, turn right over a narrow lane up to the free car park at the edge of the forest. Location parking lot: 51 ° 16 ′ 33 ″ N.9 ° 8 ′ 38 ″ E
From here you have to walk up a steep road to the castle (around 100 meters in altitude spread over a distance of around 900 m). The route is suitable for pushchairs, provided you use the appropriate force to push it.
By bicycle
The Hessian long-distance cycle route R 4 also leads past Ippinghausen at the foot of the castle on the route from Wolfhagen to Naumburg.
However, the driveway to the castle itself is quite steep (about 150 meters in altitude from the R4). The path to the parking lot is steep, but still paved. It's best to park your bike here if you don't have a MTB with you. If you have good tread tires and a gearshift suitable for the mountains, you can drive up to the castle via the at least 15% steep, gravel road.
It is essential to drive slowly on the descent as there are sometimes many pedestrians on the way.
By train
The nearest train station is Wolfhagen about 8 km northeast. The Regional Express Kassel - Korbach stops here, and from Wolfhagen you can easily cycle across the Hess. Cycle long-distance cycle route R 4 to Ippinghausen.
mobility
The castle is only accessible on foot or by mountain bike. There is a map at the parking lot that provides information about marked circular hiking trails in the area of the castle.
Tourist Attractions
- Remnants of imposing castle ruins
- Viewpoint on the East Palace - The viewing platform is via steel stairs freely accessible. You have to be a bit free from giddiness to climb the stairs, as they are open on the inside of the thick walls. But it is worth climbing the stairs - you will be rewarded with a wonderful view!
activities
- hike - There is a map at the parking lot that provides information about marked circular hiking trails in the area of the castle.
- The upper Elbe valley is also ideal for longer circular hikes. If you feel like it, you can also take a circular hike to Naumburg with its small half-timbered old town.
- To go biking - Tour destinations are z. B. from Ippinghausen on the Hessian long-distance cycle route R4 Fritzlar (about 15 km easy) and also the old town of Wolfhagen (about 6 km one way). If you want, you can also take the Kassel-Eder cycle path via Freienhagen to Edersee cycle (mountainous route partly poorer routes, approx. 15 km easy).
kitchen
There is a kiosk in the castle ruins. This is usually closed. When it is open, you can tell by the flag that is hoisted on the castle. At the entrance to the parking lot there is also a white sign saying "Hut open" under the sign Weidelsburg.
A nearby stop is the Hasenmühle in the Elbe Valley at 51 ° 16 '22 "N.9 ° 8 ′ 1 ″ E. After visiting the castle, you can stop off here as part of a short circular hike. There are other places to stop for a break in Ippinghausen (see section accommodation).
shop
Anyone who would like to take a souvenir from the Weidelsburg home with them can purchase the 2012 castle calendar published by the new friends' association. With the purchase of the new calendar for the price of 10 € you also support the future security of the castle complex.
Sales outlets according to the notification of the HNA from September 15, 2011:[1]
- Ippinghausen town shop
- Mander bookstore in Wolfhagen
- Löber flower barn in Altenstädt
- Café milk & sugar in Naumburg
- Edeka-Markt Spangenberg in Elbenberg
For location and opening times, see the respective website or information (if available).
accommodation
The next guest beds can be found in Ippinghausen below the castle:
- Hotel and restaurant Pfeifferling, Waldecker Straße 7, Ippinghausen, Tel. 05692-5980
- Hotel and restaurant "Zur Weidelsburg", Korbacher Strasse 29, Ippinghausen, Tel. 05692-5983
- Pension Ilse Eisenblätter, Fresienweg 5, Tel. 05692 - 4983
trips
A visit to the Weidelsburg can be easily combined with a visit to other sights in the region:
- Old town of Wolfhagen with a nice half-timbered marketplace (about 5 km north)
- Half-timbered town Naumburg (Hesse) (about 3 km south). The town can also be easily integrated into a circular hike from the Weidelsburg as a destination).
- to the Edersee (about 15 km southwest)
- Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe near Kassel (about 25 km east)
- Half-timbered town Fritzlar (about 15 km south)
- Kellerwald-Edersee National Park with the new national park center south of the Edersee (about 20 km south).
literature
- "Habichtswald" cycling and hiking map - The exact map on a scale of 1: 33333 shows the entire Habichtswald nature park over a large area including the relatively small low mountain range "Habichtswald". The card does not have an ISBN number. However, it is available at the local tourist information offices and in local bookshops (also in Kassel). The publisher is Geo publishing house by Frank-Harald Stahl from Kaufungen.
- Topographic leisure map "Habichtswald / Reinhardswald Nature Park", 1: 50000 scale map with booklet, ISBN 978-3894463199 (2nd edition from July 2008), price: € 9.50, published by Hessian Administration for Soil Management and Geoinformation (HVBG)
Individual evidence
- ↑Weidelsburg for the wall Announcement of the HNA from 09/15/211
Web links
- Association for the preservation of the Weidelsburg - Information & pictures about the castle
- Description of the Weidelsburg on the Ippinghausen side
- City of Wolfhagen - The castle belongs to this city
