Abandoned Castles and Fortresses That Look Straight Out of a Fairy Tale

16. Hohenbaden Old Castle, Germany – The Margravial Echo

Perched high above the spa town of Baden-Baden, the Hohenbaden Old Castle—also known as Altes Schloss—looms like a forgotten sentinel of the Black Forest. Dating back to the 12th century, it once served as the prestigious residence of the Margraves of Baden. For centuries, it was a symbol of regional power and nobility, its thick stone walls echoing with the clang of armor and the hum of courtly intrigue. But after a devastating fire in the 16th century, it was left to crumble into romantic ruin. Today, ivy drapes over jagged ramparts, and fractured towers rise above the treetops, offering sweeping views of the Rhine Valley below. Visitors can wander through remnants of grand halls and an eerie music room carved directly into the cliff—its acoustics still haunting. Every creaking stair and empty corridor feels suspended in time, inviting you to listen closely to the whispers of nobles who once ruled from these heights.