The Schauburg near Friedrichroda
The first castle of the Ludowingers stood here
A rainy foggy day
There really is better weather to climb this mystical mountain. But when spring is completely rainy, you just have to overcome yourself. On April 1st, despite the constant rain, we decided to climb theSchauburg near Friedrichroda. The starting point for the short 5-kilometer tour was the last house on Herzogsweg in the climatic health resort of Friedrichroda. Here the initially quite steep climb begins to the right up the castle path.
The Mariaquelle
After a good quarter of an hour there is a turnoff on the left towards Mariaquelle, which we reach in a few minutes. Very fresh, clear mountain spring water bubbles all year round from this beautifully surrounded spring. So be sure to top up your water supplies!
To the Schauburg
But let's move on. A little way along the edge of the forest, on the left, a path leads up to the mountain that supported theSchauburg Castle for a good two centuries. The mountain peak, at 630 meters high, was ideal for securing the pass roads over the Thuringian Forest. The Franconian nobleman Ludwig with the beard received from Emperor Henry III in 1044. the right to build a castle in his territory from which he could overlook his lands. This is where the name “Schauenburg” comes from. Today there is hardly anything left of the castle itself on the summit plateau. Some worked rock edges and a few layered remains of walls can still be seen. Since the actual castle was probably a wooden structure, this is no surprise.
The Ludowingers
Ludwig with the beard was followed by several more Ludwigs. They held the title of landgrave in Thuringia for several generations and very quickly became one of the richest and most powerful families in the German Empire in the Middle Ages. Although the Schauburg is beautifully situated above Friedrichroda, the Ludowingers moved again a few decades later. The next known castle built by the Ludowingers was the Wartburg, which Ludwig the Springer had built in 1067. The view was probably better at the Wartburg. And the second new building, the Neuenburg in Freyburg an der Unstrut, had better wine. So after a few decades, theSchauburg only served as a protective castle for the nearby Reinhardsbrunn monastery. It lost its importance and was completely destroyed in the middle of the 13th century.
x
Swing with a view
The summit plateau is definitely suitable as a filming location for an Arthurian film. Mossy rocks and gnarled beech trees create a romantic flair. In several places you can enjoy distant views of the Thuringian Forest or the city of Friedrichroda from the rocks. For the bravest of you, there is a swing hanging on a branch there. Swing and enjoy the view, what more could you want?
Descent to theSchauenburgsteich
After a short descent behind the summit cross, you will find a spruce tree split by the storm on the path. Wow! The Mariaquelle mentioned at the beginning feeds a small pond, theSchauenburgsteich. It is located at the lower end of theSchauburgswiese. When the weather is nice, you could easily lie down on the grass for half an hour and look at the water. Today we'd rather refrain from doing that.
We now either go down the Wolfsstieg under the Burgweg back to the town.
