July 2001 - Nr. 7
Highlights of Cultural History:
Castles and Fortresses in Germany
They are surrounded by myths, fairy tales and legends; they are reminders of ladies of the castle, robber barons, minnesingers and castle ghosts; they impress with majestic beauty and by their highly-visible sites: Germany’s castles and fortresses are historic jewels and highlights of art- and cultural history.
There are around 20,000 historic buildings in the country – from medieval knights’ fortress to grandiose castles and grounds. All have influenced their surroundings; history was made here, and here cultural life blossomed.
They have become objects with which their regions are identified – and because they are unique and unmistakable, they have often become symbols of the regions.
Princely hospitality within historic walls
Germany’s castles and fortresses are not only sights to see, they are also places of princely hospitality.
Within their rooms, which have often been restored to the original, they house exquisite restaurants and comfortable accommodations.
First-class musical performances, theatre, knights’ tournaments and medieval festivals before historic back-drops are among the special attractions of many fortresses and castles.
Couples can even get married in a romantic fortress- or castle chapel.
Middle Ages in the original:
the Marksburg
From its dominating site high above the Rhine, the 120-foot-tall donjon bears witness to its former power: the Marksburg near Braubach, first mentioned in 1219, is a historic monument of national importance.
It is considered the only cliff-top fortress on the Middle Rhine that has never been destroyed. Up to the present time, it has maintained its medieval look – as though the last knight had just left the castle.
The Marksburg is open daily all year round, as is the castle pub, and the Gothic castle kitchen can be rented for a "Medieval Table" with historic ambience.
Every two years – always the uneven ones – from Ascension Day until the following Sunday there is a big castle festival with a handicraft market.
At the same time in the even years, young people can enjoy the Children’s Festival, and each year at the end of August bards and minnesingers show off their art in a contest.
Information: Deutsche Burgen-vereinigung, Marksburg, D-56338 Braubach. Tel. 02627-206. Fax 8866. Internet: deutsche-burgen.org dzt
Prince Wallerstein’s castles are inviting
History becomes a princely experience with a visit to castles and fortresses. For example, the castles of Prince Wallerstein – Baldern, Harburg and Wallerstein – invite you to excellent guided tours.
The castles, situated in the city-triangle Stuttgart, Nürnberg and Augsburg, also rent their salons and rooms for events such as seminars, presentations, concerts and weddings.
During the Summer months, the Prince’s Court Riding School at Wallerstein Castle presents classical riding in all classes of the high school at various dates.
Information: Fürst Wallerstein Schlösser, Berg 78, D-86757 Wallerstein. Tel. 09081-7820. Fax 782191. Internet: www.fuerst-wallerstein.de dzt
Hike to castles and fortresses in Franconia
A green tower shows the way: a hiking trail of about 108 miles leads to fortresses, castles, ramparts, wayside shrines and other historic objects in Franconia.
A special jewel on the route is the Late-Gothic Knights’ Chapel in Hassfurt, which contains 248 coasts-of-arms and many gravestones of knights.
All objects and trails are described comprehensively in a 16-page brochure.
Information: Tourist Information, Obere Sennigstrasse 4, D-97461 Hofheim i. Ufr. Tel. 09523-92290. Fax 267. dzt
Maus Castle: birds of prey high above the Rhine
Visitors can enjoy a unique spectacle when hunting falcons attack a lure in headlong flight or a kite catches its prey in flight just above the heads of the crowd. Beauty and elegance combine when the sea eagle circles; suspense rules when the golden eagle starts its nose dive.
One can see all this at the Eagle- and Falcon Court at Maus Castle in the Loreley town St. Goarshausen. The birds of prey fly around the romantic backdrop of the medieval castle and the steep Rhine cliffs daily at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., as well as 4:30 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
Information: Tourist-Information, Bahnhofstrasse 8, D-56346 St. Goarshausen. Tel. 06771-9100. Fax 91015. Internet: www.burg-maus.de dzt
