stronghold
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stronghold
A place or region where a particular political party, movement, culture, or activity is especially strongly represented; a center or bastion.
Köln gilt als eine Hochburg des deutschen Karnevals.
Cologne is considered a stronghold of German Carnival.
main fortress
The most strongly fortified and usually highest part of a medieval castle complex.
Von der einstigen Hochburg sind heute nur noch die Grundmauern zu sehen.
Today, only the foundation walls of the former main fortress can still be seen.
The word is made up of 'hoch' (high) and 'Burg' (castle). The literal meaning is a high-lying, strongly fortified castle. From this comes the figurative meaning of a 'strong center.'
Die Ruine der alten Hochburg thront über der Stadt.
The ruins of the old main fortress tower over the city.
The figurative meaning (center) is much more common today. You can recognize it because it refers to politics, culture, or sports. The literal meaning (part of a castle) is found almost only in historical or architectural texts.
Diese Region ist eine Hochburg der Automobilindustrie.
This region is a stronghold of the automotive industry.
In the figurative meaning, the genitive or 'von' + dative is often used to indicate what something is a 'Hochburg' (stronghold) of. Typical verbs are 'sein' (to be) or 'gelten als' (to be considered).
Die Stadt gilt als eine Hochburg der alternativen Musikszene.
The city is considered a stronghold of the alternative music scene.
fortress
In a figurative sense, Festung can refer to a place or system that is difficult to access or seemingly impregnable. Hochburg, by contrast, refers specifically to a center where a party, movement, or activity has a strong presence. Use Festung for isolation and Hochburg for a strong regional base.
Die Stadt gilt seit Jahren als Hochburg dieser Partei.
The city has been considered a stronghold of this party for years.
Das abgeschottete Regime wirkt für Außenstehende wie eine Festung.
To outsiders, the isolated regime seems like a fortress.
