What remains to be seen at the Schwalenburg today?

Visitors can see the banks and ditches of three concentric ramparts, several pincer-shaped gateways and a modern wooden observation tower.

How old is the Schwalenburg?

The earthwork fortification likely dates from between the late 8th and 10th centuries.

Is there an entrance fee for the Schwalenburg?

No, it is a freely accessible open-air archaeological site with no ticket or fixed opening hours.

Is the Schwalenburg easy to reach on foot?

Reaching it requires an uphill walk from Schwalefeld on the slope of the Hegeberg, over natural terrain.

What is the Ringwallweg at the Schwalenburg?

It is a themed trail established in 2016 that runs along the remains with panels explaining the site's history and research.

Schwalenburg

Schwalefeld

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Where: Schwalefeld

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Open within 20 km

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Schwalenburg stands in Schwalefeld (Landkreis Waldeck-Frankenberg), in Hesse, Germany. The building is a listed Baudenkmal. Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

The Schwalenburg is a ruined hilltop fortification above the hamlet of Schwalefeld, on the southern slope of the Hegeberg in the Waldeck-Frankenberg district of Hesse. It is an extensive early medieval earthwork, probably built between the late 8th and 10th centuries, consisting of three concentric ramparts covering about six hectares. Visitors can still make out the banks, ditches and several gateways built as pincer-shaped entrances, including a massive one on the northeastern side of the middle ring. A wooden observation tower, inaugurated in 2009, offers an overview of what is considered one of the most impressive early historic fortifications in Central Europe.

What to know

The site is an open-air area that can be visited freely, with no enclosed building or gatehouse.
A themed trail, the Ringwallweg, runs along the remains with information panels on the fortification's history.
An 8.5-metre wooden observation tower offers a general view over the three rampart rings.
Access involves a walk uphill from Schwalefeld on the slope of the Hegeberg, so some physical effort is required.
It is an open archaeological site, with no opening hours or entrance fees.

Where this château is

Schwalefeld · Landkreis Waldeck-Frankenberg · Hessen

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

34508 Willingen (Upland)

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

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4.4 / 5from 67 Google reviews

Heritage status: Kulturdenkmal in Deutschland

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Frequently asked

What remains to be seen at the Schwalenburg today?: Visitors can see the banks and ditches of three concentric ramparts, several pincer-shaped gateways and a modern wooden observation tower.
How old is the Schwalenburg?: The earthwork fortification likely dates from between the late 8th and 10th centuries.
Is there an entrance fee for the Schwalenburg?: No, it is a freely accessible open-air archaeological site with no ticket or fixed opening hours.
Is the Schwalenburg easy to reach on foot?: Reaching it requires an uphill walk from Schwalefeld on the slope of the Hegeberg, over natural terrain.
What is the Ringwallweg at the Schwalenburg?: It is a themed trail established in 2016 that runs along the remains with panels explaining the site's history and research.