The Giebichenstein castle is built on a promontory of fine crystlline quartz prophyry from Halle. Historic background emphasized the importance of the fortress during the 10th century, but the extant foundation walls date from the Roman period. Ornamental stone, however, reflect both Roman and Gothic time periods. Statistical analyses of the stones were used to date various constructions such as the gate tower, the chapel, and the barrel vault. From 1100 to 1300, Permo-Carboniferous and semi-mottled Sandstone were used in set proportions for building.