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photo: Harald Wagener

Hidden away from the roar of the main roads in a region where is almost impossible to miss some gothic medieval castle or ruins that reminds of a dark ages,set in the midst of a natural paradise surrounded by magical and mystical dark green pine Eltz Forest in Mosel Valley alongside the babbling Elzbach Creek on a approx. 70 meters high large rock stands out magnificent fairytale German castle Burg Eltz (Eltz Castle) one of the most beautiful and most visited European castles.

If you want to have really special experience the best way is to get to the location by walking for more than a half hour through a natural paradise and enjoy the very moment when suddenly out of nowhere like a scene from a fairytale movie Eltz Castle appears in front of you for a breathtaking and unforgettable experience.

In the medieval times the castles were build to protect the trade routes and as a home for the nobles, so the case with Burg Eltz is not different, it was built to secure the trade route Mosel-Maifeld-Eifel, historically one of the most important trade routes in the German Empire.

Foundation was laid in XII century in about 1157.Eltz Castle is built on a large oval rock in the middle of an enchanting valley with a river Eltz surrounding from three sides, a perfect spot upon which to construct a castle and it’s like a grand rural home, rather than a big scary medieval fortress.But unlike some other German castles that were built with romantic ideal for a castle (popular fairytale Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria) Burg Eltz was built like a real stone and wood defensive fortification.

photo: © Dieter Ritzenhofen, Münstermaifeld

It has eight 35 meters high towers, timber frame structures, roofs and turrets that makes this castle real architecture beauty and picture book castle.

It may sound odd but Eltz Castle wasn’t built as one complete structure but three castles in one.The reason for this lay in some historical facts about the Castle.

Back in the Medieval times building a castle was a very financial demanding project, so the three branches of the Eltz family built separate homes structures on the site as their own fortified living- quarters and co-existed peacefully sharing a central well and courtyard.

photo: source

There were three sides of the Eltz family or clan: the Kempenich (‘The House of the Golden Lion’), the Rubenach (‘The House of the Silver Lion’) and the ‘The House of the Buffalo Horns’.

You may found that the style of the building is not the same and some elements are strange but the reason for that is simply because each family branch built different buildings during different architectural periods.

under the heavy oak ceiling with suits of armor and carvings of jester’s masks is the most important room of the castle – “The Knights’ Hall”. photo: Roland Rossner/Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz

The Kempenich descendants (the House of the Golden Lion) outlived the other branches and was the most prosperous and in 1815 the castle was unified under their name.The perfect location ensured the safety of this castle for many years until Prince Elector Balduin of Trier erected the so-called “Gegenburgen” (literally counter castles), which finally forced the Counts of Eltz into submission.

The Rodendorf Kitchen – most favorite among the guests, dates from 15th century and has remained largely unchanged, and a true representation of medieval life photo: Roland Rossner/Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz

Many of the castles along the Mosel and Rhine Rivers suffer a great damage or been totally destroyed thru the past but Eltz Castle is one of the few that was not destroyed or badly damaged.Beside that is really fascinating that has been owned by the same family from the 12 century or almost 800 years until today when it’s still in the ownership of the Eltz family – the owner is Dr. Karl Graf who’s in the 33rd generation of the Eltz clan.

If you plan a visit the first question in your mind is how to get there and by what..and there a couple of options unless you plan to drive.

Public Transport: You can take a bus that runs on holidays and weekends, but be sure to check the schedule.

Train: The nearest train stations are in Moselkern and Karden (Treis-Karden station), from there you have options to take a taxi, bus (watch the day) or you can hike.

Boat: Get on a boat along the Mosel River that stops at Moselkern or Karden and then take a taxi to the castle or continue on foot by hiking.

Car (or Taxi): Some of the following signs to Burg Eltz don’t lead to the castle’s parking lot. If you are using a map/GPS you can go to the town of Wierschem and then follow signs as the castle parking lot is just past this little town. Paid parking (and drop-off point for taxis) is located above the castle. From the parking lot, there is a walk downhill on a footpath for about 10 minutes to reach the castle or wait for the castle shuttle bus (every 10 minutes,2 euros per person)

Hiking: For a full experience consider hiking from Moselkern, Karden, Pyrmont Castle, or Wierschem. There are hikes of various lengths and intensities available and make sure you learn about the hike of your choice as some are more difficult than others and require proper footwear and provisions.

One of the best things to see is the most famous artwork in Eltz Castle the Lucas Cranach The Elder’s masterpiece “Madonna with Child and Grapes” photo: © Dieter Ritzenhofen, Münstermaifeld

The Castle is open to the public only in the period between April to October, in hours from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.There are a 45min guided tours for the visitors an on every 10-15 minutes but in the German language, also there are tours in other languages but not that frequently.

The cost is 9 euros for adults but also there is a discount available for disabled, families, students and large groups.When it comes to money payment good advice is to take some cash with you for the entrance, food, parking, bus…because credit cards are accepted but only for large purchases.

Bathrooms are located outside the castle and remember if you need water, you’ll have to bring it or buy it.

The downside of the tour policy is that taking pictures in the innards of the castle is not allowed and you might be a little bit disappointed about that but this rule is common in German castles.

photo: Roland Rossner/Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz

If you take this entertaining journey through 850 years of Western architecture and culture you will see almost 80 different rooms, banqueting chambers, armory and treasury, artworks by German gold and silver smiths, medieval life kitchen, precious authentic and complete furnishings, tapestries, curiosities and interesting legends scattered throughout the castle.

“The Goddess of Hunting” by Joachim Friess, around 1600 photo: Dieter Ritzenhofen, Münstermaifeld

If you decide to see this fairytale castle and enjoy really unique experience visit Burg Eltz and if you can try approaching the castle by foot if possible for the full visual effect.

Have you visited Burg Eltz? Share your experience with us.

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