Due to its prominent location on an 80m high cliff above Steinbach-Hallenberg, it is Landmark the small half-timbered town, through the wild beauty of its remains Romantic eye-catcher and popular photo motif at the same time: the Hallenburg.

Your Beginnings lie in the dark and will probably forever remain a mystery to its builders. Many say that it was built around 1212 by the Lords of Hallenberg on the remains of a previous ruin and belonged for many years to the Henneberg Counts, who took over the rule of the Hallenberg nobility in the mid-13th century and used the castle as a castle for their own purposes. Residence, official and administrative seat as well as a protective castle of the judicial district of Benshausen. After the Thirty Years' War, the castle lost all function and fell into disrepair until the onset of Romanticism in the early 19th century, when admiration for and interest in preserving medieval buildings increased significantly again.   

On August 20, 1919, the town was violently shocked when its most beautiful vantage point, the Rock pulpit of the castle demolished and rolled loudly down the slope. Thanks to the braking effect of the vegetation on the slope, only a workshop was damaged and no one was injured. According to legend, however, the castle chronicle marked White Virgin instead of spitting around the old walls as usual.

Today, the ruins are a protected monument and has had a spire based on the historical model since 1984. Tower tours are available by appointment at the TI Steinbach-Hallenberg, as are historical tours of the town with the castle bailiff, who knows a lot about the ruins.

Experience package:

• The charming Nature Park Route Thuringian Forestwhich connects the most beautiful places in the Thuringian Forest for car, motorcycle and motorhome drivers, leads through Steinbach-Hallenberg. A detour to the castle ruins is a must for all travelers.

• Anyone visiting Steinbach-Hallenberg should visit the Museum of Metal Craftsin the middle of the town, you can learn about the town's rich blacksmithing tradition.

• The Restaurant "Bergbaude"located not far from the ruins, is known for its delicious Thuringian food.