Upper Castle Kyffhausen

The origins of the castle are not fully clear, but archaeological findings suggest that the castle hill was already settled in prehistoric times. The first documented mention of the castle occurred in 1118, when it was destroyed during conflicts between Duke Lothar of Supplinburg and King Henry V. Under the Staufer dynasty, particularly during the reign of Frederick I Barbarossa, the complex underwent significant reconstruction and reached its peak as an imperial castle. In the late Middle Ages, the castle lost its strategic importance and changed hands multiple times. From the 15th century onwards, it increasingly fell into disrepair and was used as a quarry. In the 19th century, with the rise of Romanticism and the Barbarossa legend, the ruin became a popular tourist destination and a symbol of national aspirations. The construction of the Kyffhäuser Monument at the end of the 19th century destroyed a large part of the Upper Castle. Extensive archaeological excavations in the 1930s uncovered further parts of the medieval complex and contributed to the preservation of the ruins.

The Upper Imperial Castle Kyffhausen is situated in the Kyffhäuser Mountains, on the Kyffhäuserburgberg in the municipality of Kyffhäuserland-Steinthaleben, in the Free State of Thuringia, Germany. It lies at an elevation of approximately 439 meters above sea level.

The ruins of the Upper Imperial Castle Kyffhausen are now accessible to visitors. They offer an insight into medieval fortification architecture and the rich history of the site.

• Kyffhäuser Monument (Barbarossa Monument), approx. 0.2 km away
• Lower Imperial Castle Kyffhausen (Castle), approx. 0.4 km away
• Königspfalz Tilleda (Castle), approx. 2.1 km away
• Rathsfeld Castle (Rathsfeld) (Castle), approx. 3.0 km away