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All Germany Wierschem Eltz Castle - Burg Eltz

Eltz Castle - Burg Eltz

This medieval castle overlooking the Elzbach river looks just like it did hundreds of years ago.

Wierschem, Germany

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ser flac
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Emerging from the wintry fog in all its grandeur, this 80-room castle has remained in the same family for 33 generations   Photo by Jonas Verstuyft on Unsplash
Emerging from the wintry fog in all its grandeur, this 80-room castle has remained in the same family for 33 generations   Photo by Jonas Verstuyft on Unsplash
Burg Eltz in the fog   Instagram user @rurichester
panorma view from the water below   Mathias Van de Velde / Atlas Obscura User
Burg Elz, View from the Kreuzkapelle   Archaos / Atlas Obscura User
  gingercinnamon / Atlas Obscura User
Burg Eltz Courtyard 10.31.2010   Raven Traveler / Atlas Obscura User
Inner Castle Courtyard   Archaos / Atlas Obscura User
Burg Eltz   Foto Studio Visual / Atlas Obscura User
Burg Eltz   Foto Studio Visual / Atlas Obscura User
Window detail, Burg Eltz   hzoi / Atlas Obscura User
view from the creek below   Mathias Van de Velde / Atlas Obscura User
Burg Eltz Inner Walls 10.31.2010   Raven Traveler / Atlas Obscura User
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About

One of only three castles in the region left intact over the centuries, Burg Eltz (Eltz Castle) has remained in the same family for over 850 years, or 33 generations.

Though the Eltz family first moved into the castle in the 12th century, they continued making renovations and additions for centuries. As such, it wasn't completed until between 1490 and 1540. The 80-room castle is still occupied today, and looks much as it would have hundreds of years ago. Local stories say that it is infested with the ghosts of medieval knights.

The castle is one of the few in the area that survived the Thirty Years' War. The French did not destroy the castle thanks to its location, and some skilled diplomacy on the part of the landowners.

Related Tags

Castles Architectural Oddities Medieval Architecture

Know Before You Go

Located between Koblenz and Cochem, near the Mosel River in the Eltztal. Go early in the morning to avoid crowds. There are two routes down to the castle, one is a hiking trail and the other is a well-trod tourist trail. The parking and start point for each are on opposite sides of the valley.

Open April to November.

Community Contributors

Added By

serflac

Edited By

kurtledesma, cederkate, kostas1964ath, karaW8...

  • kurtledesma
  • cederkate
  • kostas1964ath
  • karaW8
  • churningmedic
  • Raven Traveler
  • AbiInman
  • hzoi
  • gingercinnamon
  • Foto Studio Visual
  • Mathias Van de Velde
  • Archaos
  • shiribarnett

Published

October 7, 2011

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eltz_Castle
  • http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/germany/rhine.htm
  • http://great-castles.com/eltz.php
Eltz Castle - Burg Eltz
1 Burg Eltz
Wierschem, 56294
Germany
50.205226, 7.336551
Visit Website
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