The Kyffhäuser Mountains are home to one of Germany's most important monuments - the Kaiser Wilhelm National Monument. Built in honor of Kaiser Wilhelm I and to commemorate the unification of the Reich in 1871, the site is not only steeped in history but also closely linked to the most important German national legend - the legend of Barbarossa. According to this legend, Emperor Barbarossa sits asleep at a stone table in the underground castle. During his centuries-long sleep, his beard grows through the table. Every hundred years, the emperor wakes up from his deep sleep and checks to see if the black ravens are still flying around the mountain. If the ravens can no longer be seen, Barbarossa will return and recreate his empire.

The Kyffhausen Imperial Castle
This mountain range was already inhabited in prehistoric times and one of the largest castle complexes in Germany was built here in the Middle Ages, measuring 608 m long and 60 m wide. The Kyffhausen Imperial Castle was completed in the 12th century during the reign of Frederick I Barbarossa. The castle complex consisted of an upper castle, middle castle and lower castle. During a visit, it is also worth visiting the ruins of the lower castle, which is the best preserved of the ruins. Here, visitors can experience medieval architecture at first hand. The Kyffhäuser monument was erected in the area of the upper castle between 1890 and 1896. The restored keep - the Barbarossa Tower - and the deepest castle well in the world at 176 m are relics of the former upper castle.

The Kaiser Wilhelm Monument
It was commissioned by the former German soldiers' comradeships. The architect of this monument was Bruno Schmitz, one of the most important monument architects of the time. On the east side of the 81-metre-high monument, Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa is carved in stone as the legendary emperor. The equestrian statue, which is 9.70 m high, and the two allegorical secondary figures, Warrior and History, are made of 3 mm thick copper plates. After climbing the 250 steps to the top of the monument tower, you have an impressive view over the landscape from the Harz Mountains to the Thuringian Forest.

Exhibitions and events
Interesting exhibitions in the monument tower and the castle museum tell the story of the Kyffhäuser monument and the Kyffhausen Imperial Castle. In 2015, the search for a legendary treasure took place in the castle well. Today, the multimedia exhibition reports on the recovery work. The Barbarossa Tower houses the exhibition on the floor paintings and the medieval defense tower. Theater, art and drama bring the lower castle to life. Cultural, sporting and musical events take place all year round against the backdrop of the Kyffhäuser monument. These include torchlight tours, the medieval spectacle, the tower staircase run and concerts.