The Burg Eltz is the most imposing castle that you will find in this part of Germany. The castle sits on a rocky crag that is nearly surrounded by the Eltz river in a forested valley. Because of the strange shape of the crag, the castle itself has an odd elongated shape to it. It seems like that castle actually grew out of the rocks. In addition the castle timber framework seems to blend in so well with the forested surrounding, that one must assume that castle original architects had a keen sense of esthetic detail.
The origins of the castle are sketchy but it seems to have been construted in the 12th century near the important trade routes along both road and water ways. Unlike most of the castles in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany, the Burg Eltz seemed to survived the 1688 to 1689 Palatinate Wars without any real damage. Most castles or fortress in this region where destroyed by the French during this war. It would seem that the Burg Eltz avoided destruction by the owners actually siding with the French. Today the tour of the castle is divided into two. You can take the standard tour that takes you through the castle's medieval chambers. If that alone does not satisfy you, then you can for extra cost visit the castle's interesting treasure vault.
Of all of the medieval castles that I have visited in Europe this one is possibly the best preserved. Members of the Eltz family apparently still live on the castle grounds.
Reaching the castle can be fun if you chose to take the train like I did. I visited by the train from Koblenz. I got off at the stop at Karden and then hiked for about an hour to the castle most of which was through a pleasant forested valley. It was not a difficult walk but I would consider wearing proper shoes. I saw one woman hiking in pumps and I do not think that she was enjoying herself.
Of note even though the castle is not the easiest to approach it is very crowded. It is best to visit first thing in the morning like I did.
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Phone: +49 (2672) 9 50 50 0
Directions: The nearest town is Karden which is about an hours walk away. Karden itself would make an excellent base for those wishing to visit more of the Mosel Valley.
Website: www.burg-eltz.de
on Feb 25, 2003
