Ruined hilltop castle in Greiffenberg, Brandenburg, built around 1224.
Greiffenberg Castle is a ruined hilltop castle in Greiffenberg, Angermünde, Brandenburg, Germany. Built around 1224, it served as the von Greiffenberg family's seat. The castle features significant remnants, including a tower and curtain walls, and is designated as an architectural heritage monument.
Greiffenberg Castle, also known as the Greiffenburg Ruine, is a ruined hilltop castle located in Greiffenberg, a part of Angermünde in the Uckermark district of Brandenburg, Germany. Constructed around 1224, it initially served as the seat of the von Greiffenberg family, who established a hospital there. The castle's ownership shifted multiple times due to regional conflicts. In 1349, it was confirmed under the Duke of Pomerania, reverted to Mark Brandenburg in 1354, captured by Pomerania in 1426, and returned to Brandenburg in 1446. From 1473 to 1803, the von Sparr family owned it, enduring damage during the Thirty Years' War. Since 1850, it has been under the Counts of Redern. The castle is recognized as an architectural heritage monument, featuring significant remnants such as a 12-meter-high stump of a round tower, parts of the curtain walls, and traces of the moat. Built primarily from brick and fieldstone, the structure includes a quadrangular gatehouse and defensive towers. Situated on an artificially raised hill, it overlooks the Welsetal valley. Today, Greiffenberg Castle is a popular destination for those interested in medieval architecture and history, offering insights into its storied past and architectural significance.
