Rudelsburg

Rudelsburg is a ruined castle on a hill above the Saale River, near Bad Kösen in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. It dates from the 12th century and has been a landmark for defence, tourism, and student gatherings. History Rudelsburg was first mentioned in a record from 1171. It was built by the Bishop of Naumburg to protect the Via Regia, an important trade route along the Saale Valley. Over time, it became part of local power struggles. Although partly destroyed during events like the Napoleonic Wars, the castle was restored in 1991–1992 and opened for visitors again. Architecture and location Rudelsburg stands about 85 metres above the Saale, on a rocky shell limestone ridge. The views across the Saale Valley are wide and scenic. Today, the castle ruins include walls, towers, and a restaurant, plus a tower visitors can climb for even better views. Cultural significance In the 19th century, Rudelsburg became a popular site for tourism, inspired by the "Castle Romantic" movement and the growing interest in hiking. It is now part of the Romanesque Road, a tour route in the region. The castle also has a special place in the German student movement, as it inspired poems and songs, including the popular Franz Kugler song "An der Saale hellem Strande", written there in 1826. Tourism and events Rudelsburg is a well-known tourist attraction. It has a castle restaurant serving regional food and local wines, and features events such as knight-style meals and weddings. Inside the outer castle (the vorburg), there are also monuments for student groups like the Kösener Corps and a Bismarck memorial set up again in 2006. The site also includes a civil registry office, making weddings possible there. Hiking and nature Rudelsburg is located on hiking trails around Bad Kösen. A popular route is the Rudelsburgweg, a circular path of about 7.7 km which takes around 2 hours 10 minutes. It offers lovely views of the Saale valley, forested slopes, and farmland. Other websites Official website (in German) Rudelsburg in www.burgenwelt.de (in German) Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena: Die Höhensiedlungen der Mikro- und Makroregion(in German)