Eltz is a castle of unimaginable beauty, which is located in a picturesque area, on a hill surrounded by dense forest. The fortress is unique in that it has never been captured and therefore has survived to this day in its original form.
The castle is built along the Moselle River, which is known for its stunning views. In general, there are a lot of medieval fortresses on it, which rise beautifully against the background of luxurious natural landscapes, well-groomed towns, immersed in greenery. As for Eltz, it was built in the forest, between the cities of Koblenz and Trier. At one time, the castle was located at the intersection of important trade routes of the region.
Interesting facts about Germany in our article.
Description
The original name of the Burg Eltz fortress, and the very first written mention of it dates back to 1157. The name appears in the medieval document of Frederick I Barbarossa. From the beginning of the construction itself to our time, which is amazing, the building has been in the possession of a single family.
The fortress is a composition of detached buildings owned by different families. It includes 8 towers 30-40 meters high. Each of them is fortified with thick stone walls that protect the courtyard. There used to be about 100 crowned guests in about a hundred different rooms of the estate.
Castle architecture
The architectural appearance is different, as the towers were built at different times and in different styles. For example, the oldest part of the castle is in the Romanesque style. Later, from 1490 to 1540, Rodendorf houses were built here. They got this name in honor of the wife of one of the owners of the castle.
Inside, the facade of such structures is crowned with a balcony with columns. Another part of Eltz is the Kempenich houses, which, in terms of time, date back to the seventeenth century. They are distinguished by their amazing architecture, skillfully manage a delightful view of the front yard.
Interestingly, any of the constituent parts of Eltz includes a complete ensemble of targeted buildings characteristic of a medieval dwelling. So, on the ground floor there is a kitchen and storage rooms, and on the next floor there is a large hall, a bedroom and a chapel, respectively. As already mentioned, the castle has over 100 rooms. Today, each of them has access to one floor, although in the past all rooms were strictly autonomous from each other.
Interiors
The attitude of the Germans to the historical heritage speaks for itself - the interiors in the castle are authentic. The authentic atmosphere has been preserved here for many centuries. All sorts of historical pictures have been filmed in the castle more than once, as the surroundings here are magnificent.
We also note that many of the halls and rooms have exclusive interior details, for example, the famous fifteenth-century wooden ceiling that adorns the lower hall - the heritage of the Rübenach family. Here you can also enjoy a magnificent fresco in one of the bedrooms. The work dates back to 1470.
Gothic boudoirs, medieval cuisine, knights' halls - each room is a masterpiece of the time. They are furnished with wonderful accessories - weapons, decorative figures, figurines and other elements that belong to the same generation for many centuries.
Since the castle is a functioning museum, here you can appreciate the samples of weapons that are passed on to each subsequent generation, as well as rare jewelry made of precious metals and stones.
The current state of the Eltz castle on the Moselle
Note that the restoration of 1845-1888 made it possible to preserve the external appearance of the building. A tidy sum was allocated for it - 8 million euros.
In the past, the castle was owned by several families, because to build such a building was not within the power of one ruler. Similar structures were built collectively. Nowadays, the estate is owned by a society of joint heirs, of course, representatives of the Eltz family. Under them, the castle was opened for travelers, and the proceeds are invested in restoration work.
Visit to the castle
Since literally every square centimeter is of significant architectural value, photography is prohibited here. In addition, not all rooms are allowed to visit, and some can only be visited for an additional fee. For example, in the treasury.
Tours are held here in the summer from April to November, every day. Tourists can enjoy the age-old heritage for 40 minutes. Of greatest interest is the treasury, where valuable jewelry, luxury items and many other exhibits are located. The tour will cost a tourist 8 euros.
Note that on the territory of the castle, an open terrace, there is a restaurant where you can have a tasty snack. Tourists are also allowed to go for a picnic by the river, where they can enjoy pleasant silence and nature.
How to get there
Despite the fact that the castle is located in the forest, it is not difficult to get to it. The largest city (Koblenz) is located 38 kilometers from here. A local express runs from it to Moselkern - a small, cozy town, which is the final point on the way to the castle.
The hiking trail starts along the river. On a quiet path, travelers get to the castle, while enjoying the coolness of fresh greenery. There is an option to get here by car, which is certainly much faster and more comfortable. Finally, you can make a group trip with other tourists.
The stunning Eltz Castle, stretched out on a steep mountain and hidden by the tributaries of the Moselle on both sides, is one of the most picturesque places and the most beautiful cultural landmark in Germany. It is worth visiting here just to enjoy the inherent spirit of the Middle Ages, a genuine, truly fabulous atmosphere.
