The only fault one could possibly find with German castles is that there are just so many of them. It’s difficult to decide which ones to visit and which ones to skip. While last year we celebrated my birthday in Lucerne followed by a visit to The Devil’s Bridge in Switzerland, this year I wanted to celebrate like a queen. And what could be more fitting then spending the day at a castle? Since Travis and I didn’t have any fixed plans for the day, I checked our German bucket list in the morning and randomly chose Wartburg Castle. In just over the single hour that it took us to drive there, we passed no fewer than 8 castles.
I kid you not.
Though we now have more castles on our bucket list, we chose well. Wartburg Castle is a great choice to visit for anyone castle-hopping around Germany.
Built in 1914, the historic Wartburg Hotel clings to the hillside just below the castle.
The foundation stone for Wartburg Castle was laid in 1067, dating it over a thousand years old. Widely recognized as one of Germany’s more famous castles, it’s one of the most well preserved with a rather interesting mixture of architectural elements that reflect its expansion and renovations over the centuries. While interior refurbishments are quite new, mostly dating from the 19th century, the exterior retains much of its original charm.
Long and narrow, Wartburg runs along a ridge over 400 meters above the rolling forests surrounding Eisenach.The true beauty of the castle complex is inside the walls though. As soon as you cross the drawbridge and pass through the heavy double doors, you’ll enter a small stone courtyard. In the center is a Gothic fountain decorated with ornate flowers and a winged dragon beast. Surrounding that, stunning half-timber buildings rise above the fountain. Here, the bailiff’s lodge marks the rooms that once harbored Martin Luther after he was excommunicated in 1521. For months, he found sanctuary in the castle, translating the New Testament from Greek to German in a version that’s still widely used today.
On a hot summer day, benches tucked away inside a neatly pruned hedge provide a welcome spot of shade.
A cafe is now housed in the building where the stables were once located.
The Palas, or Great Hall, is the oldest building in the castle.
The castle wall frames a small spring green garden beneath the Gun Powder Tower.
In a side room where prisoners were once lodged in the Gun Powder Tower, two chicks huddle for warmth in a window casement.Make sure not to miss the views from the less visited back side of the castle too. Access to the trail is via a door through the castle wall near the Gun Powder Towder.
Scarcely visited, the short trail around the base of the castle leads to interesting exhibits – a small museum area and an old blacksmith’s shop with a working bellows.Considering that we were visiting on a weekend in June, I was rather surprised that the entire castle complex was mostly deserted, likely owing to the dark rain clouds and intermittent showers. We had actually arrived in town earlier in the day to an absolute deluge, one so thick we could barely see the road. Unlike some of the more crowded castles in Germany, you can still explore Wartburg Castle without too many crowds, particularly during the off-season.
Grateful the weather had cleared as much as it had, we ended our visit to the castle much as any good morning starts – with coffee. Sipping cappuccinos on the patio of the little cafe on site, we reveled in having the place to ourselves. Travis surprised me with an actual birthday gift to open – concert tickets to see one of our favorite singers, Chris de Burgh, in August! Not only will it be at Germany’s Königstein Fortress, an unreal concert venue, but he splurged for front-row seats.
Who is this guy?!
He actually had the nerve to apologize because he hadn’t gotten me something “tangible” that I could have on my birthday. Obviously he should know better! What kind of gal wouldn’t eschew baubles that sparkle for the chance to be queen for a day at Wartburg Castle?!
- Entry to the outer castle grounds is free with the exception of the Gun Powder Tower, which costs €0.50 (and doesn’t give money back, so bring exact change). A single adult ticket for the interior guided tour costs €9.
- Guided Tours – From April to October, the only way to tour the majority of the interior it by guided tours, which are available from 0830 to 1700. The single daily tour in English is at 1330.
- Parking is available near the castle for a flat rate of €5 for regular passenger vehicles, or “PKW.”
- From the parking area – which is also where tour buses and public transit buses drop off passengers – it’s about a 5-10 minute walk uphill to the castle.
- Dogs are allowed on the trail around the castle and throughout the outdoor complex but not inside the castle or surrounding buildings.
- Official site for Wartburg Castle (EN, DE, FR)
