Falkenstein Castle

Burg Falkenstein stands on a steep rocky crag above the Höllental valley, near Breitnau in the Black Forest. The ruined hill castle once guarded a key route linking Breisgau to Lake Constance. Built around 1200 by a Zähringen ministerialis family, it was later controlled by the lords of Falkenstein, who expanded their influence up the valley. The castle’s name gave the valley its first title, Falkensteiner Tal, before it became known as Höllental. Nearby castles like Falkenbühl and Bubenstein were also built by the same family. The Falkensteins grew powerful through tolls on the valley road until a new route through Wagensteig valley reduced their income. Legends say they turned to robbery, blocking roads and plundering travellers. In 1388, Freiburg attacked and destroyed the castle, though some blame its fall on political ambition. The chapel of St Nicholas survived and was moved down to the valley in 1606, where it still stands near the Rotbach stream. Visitors today find a rugged ruin with four levels of remains. The lower ward has tall, thick walls and what may have been the castle gate above the Engenbach valley. A deep neck ditch cuts through the ridge to the northeast, leading to a small middle ward on a rocky step. The upper ward, on a narrow ridge, holds the remains of a kitchen, a possible chapel site, and a quadrangle believed to be the bergfried. From the valley, a striking tooth-like wall is visible near Hirschsprung.