What remains of Old Falkenstein Castle today?

Traces of the circular moat, an outer rampart, and a fragment of the northern wall survive, the rest having disappeared after its destruction in 1115.

Can you visit Old Falkenstein Castle freely?

Yes, the site can be reached on foot at any time without fees, but only via forest paths.

Why was Old Falkenstein Castle destroyed?

It was slighted in 1115 on the orders of the Saxon duke Lothair of Süpplingenburg following the Battle of Welfesholz.

What is the difference between Old and New Falkenstein Castle?

The old castle is an 11th century ruin abandoned after 1115, while the New Falkenstein, built nearby afterwards, has survived to this day.

Old Falkenstein Castle

Falkenstein/Harz

Visit

Hours to be confirmed

Where: Falkenstein/Harz

Hours and prices not verified at the source yet.

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

Burg Alter Falkenstein stands in Falkenstein/Harz (Landkreis Harz), in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The building is a listed Baudenkmal. Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

Old Falkenstein Castle is a ruined medieval castle site perched on a rocky ridge in the eastern Harz, above the Selke valley. Built in the 11th century under Emperor Henry IV, it was destroyed as early as 1115 after the Battle of Welfesholz and never rebuilt. What remains today are traces of the circular moat, the outer rampart, and part of the northern wall, set within the forested Harz/Saxony-Anhalt Nature Park. The site is chiefly notable for its open view over the Selke valley, not far from the later New Falkenstein Castle.

Written from Old Falkenstein Castle

What to know

This is an open-air ruin site with no preserved buildings and no organised tours.
Access is on foot only, via forest paths starting from the Köhlerhütte near Pansfelde.
The terrain is wooded and hilly, with an ascent toward the Hirschplatte, so a reasonable level of fitness is needed.
The site lies within the Selketal nature reserve, about 1.8 kilometres from the neighbouring New Falkenstein Castle.
There are no opening hours or admission fees, as the site is freely accessible in the forest.

Where this château is

Falkenstein/Harz · Landkreis Harz · Sachsen-Anhalt

Map of the area around Burg Alter Falkenstein

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Unnamed Road, 06543 Falkenstein/Harz

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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4.5 / 5from 83 Google reviews

Heritage status: Kulturdenkmal in Deutschland

In pictures

Frequently asked

What remains of Old Falkenstein Castle today?: Traces of the circular moat, an outer rampart, and a fragment of the northern wall survive, the rest having disappeared after its destruction in 1115.
Can you visit Old Falkenstein Castle freely?: Yes, the site can be reached on foot at any time without fees, but only via forest paths.
Why was Old Falkenstein Castle destroyed?: It was slighted in 1115 on the orders of the Saxon duke Lothair of Süpplingenburg following the Battle of Welfesholz.
What is the difference between Old and New Falkenstein Castle?: The old castle is an 11th century ruin abandoned after 1115, while the New Falkenstein, built nearby afterwards, has survived to this day.