Sauerland Live Cam

The Medieval Roots of Willingen

Dominating the rolling hills of the Sauerland region, Willingen’s origins date back to the Middle Ages when small farming hamlets clustered around fortified manor houses. The name “Willingen” derives from the Old German personal name Willo, suggesting that a local chieftain’s clan once held sway here. By the 13th century, the Counts of Waldeck had established a wood-and-stone watchtower atop what is now the Ettelsberg, overseeing vital trade routes between the Weser and Rhine Valleys. These early fortifications laid the groundwork for the present-day Willingen ski resort and Fürstenberg Castle ruins, which still attract history buffs and photographers alike.