Can you visit the Sommerstein?

There is no structure to visit, only a ditch still marks the former fortification's location.

What remains of the Sommerstein today?

Only a circular ditch, or Wallgraben, still testifies to this vanished medieval stronghold.

Where is the Sommerstein located?

On the southern edge of the Winterstein district, in the town of Waltershausen, Thuringia.

Why is it called Sommerstein?

In medieval times, the terms summer and winter also indicated directions, with Sommerstein lying south in contrast to Winterstein to the north.

Burgstelle Sommerstein

Waltershausen

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Waltershausen

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

Sommerstein stands in Waltershausen (Landkreis Gotha), in Thuringia, Germany. No visits are on record for this building.

The Sommerstein marks the site of a former fortification, now vanished, on the southern edge of the Winterstein district of Waltershausen. No standing structure remains, only a circular ditch still traces the outline of the medieval stronghold. The place once stood at the start of an old route leading into the Werra valley near Schmalkalden and Breitungen. Its name, evoking summer, mirrored that of Winterstein to the north, the pairing referring to direction rather than season.

What to know

This is not a visitable castle but an open-air archaeological site.
Only a ditch (Wallgraben) still indicates the location of the former fortification.
The site lies on the southern edge of the Winterstein district of Waltershausen.
There are no opening hours, fees, or visitor facilities on site.

Where this château is

Waltershausen · Landkreis Gotha · Thüringen

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Auf dem Acker 1, 99880 Waltershausen-Emsetal

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

Get directions View on a map

Heritage status: Protection status unknown

In pictures

Frequently asked

Can you visit the Sommerstein?: There is no structure to visit, only a ditch still marks the former fortification's location.
What remains of the Sommerstein today?: Only a circular ditch, or Wallgraben, still testifies to this vanished medieval stronghold.
Where is the Sommerstein located?: On the southern edge of the Winterstein district, in the town of Waltershausen, Thuringia.
Why is it called Sommerstein?: In medieval times, the terms summer and winter also indicated directions, with Sommerstein lying south in contrast to Winterstein to the north.