Regenstein Castle in Blankenburg - and sandstone caves

Writer: Helena Bergström

Regenstein Castle in Blankenburg is a historic ruined castle in the German Harz region. Here you can walk around and think back to times gone by. There are also several nice hiking trails, including some very special sandstone caves.

Regenstein Castle in Blankenburg

Regenstein Castle (Burg und Festung Regenstein) is a popular tourist destination, hosting an annual knights' tournament and festival. Even on other days of the year, you can check out the remains of the once mighty castle.

Regenstein Castle is a castle ruin located three kilometers north of Blankenburg, in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt.

Regenstein Castle - history since the Middle Ages

Regenstein Castle was built in the Middle Ages on a 294 metre high sandstone cliff to be impregnable to enemies. The Count of Regenstein, Conrad, was first mentioned in 1162. The castle later became most famous under Count Albert II of Regenstein (1310-1349) who had regular disputes with the rulers of the surrounding towns.

In the 15th century, the Regenstein counts moved to Blankenburg Castle and Regenstein fell into ruin. After one of the last descendants, Count John Erasmus of Reinstein-Tattenbach, was hanged in 1671, the county was confiscated by Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg.

From 1671 onwards, the medieval castle was developed into a fortress by the Prussians, who used it for military purposes. In 1757, the fortress was taken over by the French and further expanded. When it was recaptured by the Prussians in 1758, it became unusable.

Today only ruins are visible, but you can still see the remains of several rooms, towers and the mill that once existed here.

Visiting Regenstein Castle

Today, Regenstein Castle in Blankenburg is one of the popular attractions in the Harz region. If you come here on a normal day, you can, for a small fee, climb the stairs, rooms and towers and see some exhibitions. On certain days, history is brought to life in various ways, including knightly games and festivals.

Because the sandstone is so soft, there are marks of everyone who has walked here before us. In some places the marks of shoes are deep, and it's dizzying to try to think of all the people who have walked here before us.

As you climb higher and higher, you also get great views of the places below. For example, you can see the bright spots where there are sandstone caves, and where you can hike.

When we visited Regenstein, there was also a restaurant at the castle, where you could sit down with a nice view of the surroundings. Check the current offerings before your visit.

Hiking trails and sandstone caves

When visiting Regenstein Castle, you can also take the opportunity to walk several different hiking trails. Several of the trails start from the car park, and when we were here, you could get a map at the cash desk of the castle.

Nature is green and beautiful, and if you want to see something a little more special, you can choose one of the trails that go past the sandstone caves. Already on the way to the most famous caves you can see some smaller caves, which made us think about how life might have been for people in the Stone Age...

Today, there are several marked hiking trails in the Heers area, including trails of approximately 4.8 and 9.5 kilometers and a shorter, stroller-friendly loop of approximately 4.3 kilometers.

After a short while, a place filled with sand and stone opens up in the Heers forest area. Here are the special sandstone caves, which, despite their appearance, were not created naturally. The caves were formed by humans when the soft sandstone was quarried and processed.

The sandstone is about 83 million years old and the sand was once used as a scouring and bedding sand. According to tradition, Germanic tribes in prehistoric times used the site as a meeting place.

It reveals very special sandstone formations, with deep cavities and large caves.

Although it was quiet here, we were far from being alone. It was obvious that many people like this place. And yes, we can understand why, the place really does offer delicious and different nature!

Where can I park my motorhome?

There will be a car park in Blankenburg, called Schnappelberg car parkbut we have not tested this. There are also pitches in, for example, Wernigerode and Thale.

A film from Regenstein Castle

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

There is a lot to see and do near Regenstein Castle. Not far from here you will find more beautiful and interesting places:

• Quedlinburg
• Wernigerode
• Goslar
• Thale in the Harz
• Suspension bridge Titan RT
• Magdeburg