Experience Eltz Castle: Germany’s Fairytale Fortress

Imagine waking up here, gazing out of the window from one of your many towers and surveying the surrounding forest in the morning sunshine. Life in a fairytale castle surely that’s everyone’s dream. This castle has been inhabited by the same family for over 800 years. Welcome to Eltz Castle in Germany.

This castle even used to be featured on 500 Deutsche Mark bill. And the castle has became a popular Instagram hotspot in recent years. It’s a 15 minutes walk to get to the castle. Hidden away in a wooded valley, it’s several miles away from the closest town. Eltz Castle was designed more for looks than defense. It’s more of a grand home, than a medieval fortress.

Eltz Castle, perched in the hills overlooking Elzbach River, has been the residence of the Eltz family since the 12th century. During this time, they have expanded and renovated the castle with a big construction phase until the early 16th century, from 1490 to 1540. This historic building with more than 80 rooms is still one of the few privately owned castles of Germany and is being inhabited by the Eltz family members until today. Much of the castle’s medieval architecture is preserved, allowing visitors to experience its near-original appearance, including richly decorated living quarters and a treasury filled with artifacts from centuries past.

Eltz Castle is also known for the tales about ghostly apparitions; legends speak of restless medieval knights said to still roam these halls. Moreover, the castle stands at a very unique place in history,being one of the few castles in the Rhineland not to have beendamaged during the Thirty Years‘ War. Its remote location and thediplomatic skill of the family Eltz saved it from destruction by French forces. This history of resilience has made Eltz Castle a rare medieval treasure, preserved in remarkable condition among Germany’s ancient fortresses.

Eltz Castle is featured on the homepage of the German Whitepages as a cultural icon, alongside renowned symbols like BMW and the Deutsches Museum. Additionally, it appears in the video game Age of Empires IV as “Elzbach Palace,” serving as the defensive landmark for the Holy Roman Empire civilization in the game’s Imperial Age.

Visitors to Eltz Castle should plan for 2.5 to 3 hours, including travel from the parking area. Two paths go up to the castle: a longer, scenic hiking trail and the shorter tourist trail; each has parking on either side of the valley. Guided tours in English and French can be arranged upon request, and photography is permitted outside, though restricted inside. No drones allowed.

Address:
1 Burg Eltz
Wierschem, 56294
Germany

Location on Google Maps.