A Guide on the Fairytale Castle Burg Eltz in Germany
Updated: May 12
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Have you ever come across those enchanting Instagram photos of castles perched high on a hill, their towers reaching for the skies? Burg Eltz is precisely that fairytale castle, a fortress untouched by the ravages of war, all thanks to the extensive political and social networks of the Eltz family. Nestled in Wierschem, Germany, this castle appears as if it's stepped straight out of a cinematic masterpiece, proudly gracing the hills overlooking the Moselle River, between the cities of Koblenz and Trier.
History of Burg Eltz
Remarkably, this private estate has remained under the careful stewardship of the Eltz family, who originally erected their residence on this very spot nearly a millennium ago. As time passed, the Eltz family expanded their abode within the castle complex, including the completion of the Rübenach house in 1472, the addition of Rodendorf in 1540, and the replacement of the original hall with Kempenich in 1615. Since 1815, Count Karl has retained sole ownership of the entire castle complex, preserving its rich history and captivating allure. Allow me to be your castle guide to Burg Eltz's magical world! Explore this castle's rich history, stunning views, and captivating rooms. Let's embark on this adventure together.
How to Reach
During our visit to Burg Eltz, we had the pleasure of staying in a charming hotel in Koblenz, adding to the fairytale ambiance of our journey. To reach Burg Eltz from Koblenz without a car, the most convenient option is to take a combination of train and the 365 bus route, a journey that takes approximately 1 hour and 36 minutes, with ticket prices ranging from €8 to €13.
The closest train stations to Burg Eltz are Treis-Karden and Hatzenport, both of which offer convenient access. However, it's important to note that there's still a 5 km walk to the castle from these stations. Fortunately, during weekends and holidays (from May to October), visitors can hop on the Burgenbus directly from the Hatzenport or Treis-Karden train stations, which transports them directly to the castle's parking area.
For those with a car, reaching the castle is even more straightforward. From the castle's parking area, you can enjoy a leisurely downhill stroll to the castle itself. During our visit, we opted to walk with our children, and the journey to the castle took just 10 minutes. On our return, we chose the forest path, a gentle 15-minute walk. Meanwhile, some of the elderly visitors, including our parents, preferred the convenience of the shuttle service. Walking not only allows you to admire the castle from a distance but also provides the perfect opportunity to capture its majestic presence amidst the lush greenery of the surrounding valleys, making for a truly surreal photography experience.
Shuttle Transfer from Parking to Castle
Upon reaching the parking area, you'll find a shuttle service readily available to transport you directly to the castle entrance. This convenient shuttle service comes at a cost of €2 per person, payable to the bus driver, who will then allocate tickets based on the mini-bus's capacity.
Tickets and Castle Tour
As you step inside the castle grounds, you'll immediately spot a ticket counter situated right in front, adjacent to a structure resembling a watchtower. Here, you can purchase tickets for the castle. The ticket price encompasses a guided tour of the castle and grants you access to the armoury. Guided tours are conducted in both English and German, with tours alternating every 20 minutes. To join the guided tour, simply queue up in the inner courtyard.
Cafe and Restaurant
On the right side of the watchtower, you'll find the entrance to the primary castle building. Meanwhile, on the left side, you'll be greeted by expansive views of the valleys below. Descending a flight of stairs leads you to a delightful terrace cafe, offering a perfect spot to savor coffee, pastries, and bagels for a light lunch.
Additionally, there's another cafe situated at the main castle entrance, offering a menu quite similar to the terrace cafe. However, this cafe provides slightly heartier options, such as lentil soup and sausages, for those seeking more substantial fare.
The Castle Tour
The Rübenach House
The Rubenach house is an 8-storey house. When it was turn for our tour, the guide first took us into the armoury room which is today the entrance hall of the house. Here all the weaponry and armory was displayed, which ideally would’ve been displayed elsewhere in the medieval era. You will notice the armor of the soldiers of the 15th and 16th centuries. They were short in height and not very well built. This is also prominent from the height of the doors of the castle. Keep an eye out for the intricately crafted fish bone dagger hanging on the wall just above the doorway. The room also exhibited arrow-like bolts, a collection of matchlocks and flintlocks, various hacking and thrusting weapons, as well as an assortment of oriental weapons dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, among other fascinating artifacts.
Note: It's important to note that photography was prohibited beyond this point, and any online images of these rooms by tourists indicate a disregard for these rules.
The living room (lower hall)
Upon entering this room, you'll immediately notice a grand fireplace and substantial oak beams. Interestingly, this fireplace is just one of approximately 40 fireplaces found throughout the entire castle. This abundance of fireplaces provides a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the castle's owners during the 14th to 16th centuries. In those times, it was a luxury for most households to have only one fireplace for their entire dwelling. However, despite the presence of numerous fireplaces, the living room's thick, dense walls posed a challenge for efficient heating. To counter this, the walls were adorned with exquisite Flemish tapestries, which served both functional and aesthetic purposes. These tapestries featured original paintings by artists of that era, intricately woven into rugs. The paintings depicted exotic wildlife in lush, imaginary forests, inspired by travelers' tales rather than direct observation. Additionally, a unique feature in the room was a small toilet, one of 20 such facilities in the castle. Notably, the room's paintings were primarily done on oak rather than canvas, adding to their historical significance.
The bedroom (upper hall)
The adjoining room was the master bedroom, where a bed dating back to 1520 took center stage, elevated on a platform with several steps. Remarkably, the ceiling still retained its original 15th-century paintings and murals, although they were concealed under whitewash during the 16th century. These remarkable artworks remained hidden for nearly 300 years, contributing to their remarkably well-preserved condition. Within this room, a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary occupied a bay window. This placement was deliberate, as the church had regulations against people residing in rooms directly above an altar. A distinctive 3D painting adorned the walls, offering a unique visual experience. Here, you'll also find one of the castle's 20 toilets, a testament to historical ingenuity. In those days, rainwater was cleverly collected for flushing, and cabbage leaves served as the preferred cleaning material, replacing modern toilet paper. Additionally, two other rooms were present, a writing room and a changing room, although these were off-limits to tourists.
Moving from one house to the other…
The Rodendorf House
The Rodendorf house was a 10-storey house built in the mid-16th century by its owners Wilhelm von Eltz and his wife Katarina. Earlier the two houses used to be independent. Now they are joined by a staircase which was constructed in the 19th century.
The office (Elector’s room)
Upon entering this room, your attention will likely be drawn to the decorative Chinaware pots and a baroque-style South German cupboard. Historically, this room was known as the 'electors' room' due to its significance in the lives of two prominent Eltz family members: Jakob III, Archbishop of Trier, and Philip Karl, Archbishop of Mainz. Both held influential roles as electors, responsible for choosing the Holy Roman Emperor, who also assumed the title of the German king. Portraits of these notable electors grace the walls of this room, preserving their legacy. Additionally, a renowned tapestry crafted by the van Der Brueggen brothers in Brussels adorns this space, adding to its historical richness.
The Great Hall
This was the largest room in the castle. The treasure boxes which had complicated locking system was an interesting feature in this room. Visitors gawked at the intricacy of their locking system. The room had fool masks on the walls - at 3 places to indicate freedom of speech to everyone inside this room. And the rose carved into the lintel above the heavy ornate door indicated talks in this room had to be kept a secret and couldn’t leave this room. There is also an armour on display that was made to fit an extremely tall person from the 19th century. The armour weighs 60 pounds.
The other chambers within this house included a dedicated hunting room, where a diverse collection of hunted animal horns, skins, an array of rifles, guns, and various hunting equipment were proudly displayed. The room exuded such pride that it left me feeling somewhat humbled, prompting me to swiftly proceed to the next area. The Wamboldt Room, functioning as an 18th-century housewife's workroom, featured essentials like a wool reel, a spinning wheel, and a laundry press, catering to the needs of the lady of the house. Moving along, I encountered the Countesses' room, named after the 18th-century young ladies whose portraits adorned the walls. This room doubled as a bedroom, and it showcased an extraordinary piece – the oldest painted Renaissance bed in all of Germany, a truly remarkable sight. My journey continued into the chapel, a space believed to have served as a place of worship. Here, the original flooring from the 15th century, composed of baked brick tiles, remained remarkably preserved. An impressive and colorful 19th-century stove, modeled after a 16th-century Nuremberg original, graced this room. It had been installed by the family to address the issue of excessive smoke generated by open wood-burning fireplaces within the house. The stove's operation was coordinated through an inlet from the adjoining kitchen.
Finally the most impressive room…The kitchen
Each of the individual residences within the castle compound boasts its own kitchen, and it's undoubtedly the most impressive part of the house. Here, skilled cooks once demonstrated their culinary expertise. Notably, the dishwashing area featured a drainage outlet that led water down into the valley. However, in cases where additional water was needed, laborious trips down to the valley were required to fetch it—an exhausting task to envision! The presence of a substantial chimney served the purpose of smoking meats suspended from the ceiling. A unique detail we observed was a built-in shelf on the wall, which served as a rudimentary refrigerator in bygone times, effectively keeping contents cool and fresh. The bread oven, a notable feature, was constructed using tufa, a soft volcanic stone.
Once you exit the kitchen, it leads you to a small flight of stairs that takes you to the open courtyard. From here you are directed to the armory.
Armory and Treasure chamber
The same tickets apply to the armory and treasure chamber that apply for the tour of the castle. This two-story museum within the armory and treasure chamber is home to a rich collection of antiquities dating back to the early 15th century. Among its treasures are Chinese ceramics, a diverse array of firearms, exquisite gold and bronze jewelry, masterful silver-smithing, intricately carved ivory pieces, elegant glassware, fine porcelain, and a wide range of other remarkable artifacts.
Closing Thoughts
As I wrap up this blog post, my heartfelt wish is that it has ignited a spark of inspiration within you. I hope it's encouraged you to plan your very own adventure to Burg Eltz and discover the magic that resides within its ancient walls. A quick tip from The Morning Brew - simply indulge in a coffee at one of its delightful cafes, Burg Eltz guarantees an experience that will stay etched in your memory!
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Amazing.. I love the detailed explanation of each room you have given. Cant wait to head there soon..