The Kyffhäuser were once home to one of Germany’s largest medieval castles, the Reichsburg, built in the 12th century during the reign of Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa. According to legend, Barbarossa lies in eternal sleep in the belly of the mountain. In the 19th century, Emperor Wilhelm I was seen as Barbarossa’s spiritual successor and in 1896, this statue, showing the emperor on horseback beneath a 60m high tower on which Barbarossa sits on a stone throne, was erected atop the Reichsburg ruins.
To get to the monument, follow the B85 north from Bad Frankenhausen for about 10km, then turn right at the sign and continue for another 2km.
