Marksburg Castle is a castle near Braubach, Germany,
dating back to 1117.
Marksburg Castle History
Originally named Burg Braubach, The Marksburg rises high above the
right bank of the Rhine River, crowning a cone-shaped hill overlooking the town of Braubach.
The Marksburg is the only castle on the Middle Rhine to escape destruction or ruin. The castle
had some additions in the 17th and 18th century, but maintains its medieval
character.
In 1135 the castle and half the town of Braubach were given to the
Archbishop of Mainz, a member of the house of Eppstein who owned the castle until 1283. The
daughter of the Count of Eppstein married Eberhard von Katzenelnbogen and when she died, being
the only heir from the Eppstein family, the castle became the possession of the Counts of
Katzenelnbogen in 1283 and stayed in their possession until 1479.
With the death of Count Philipp the Elder in 1479, the county of
Katzenelnbogen passed to the Landgraves of Hesse through the sole benefactress, the daughter,
who was married to the Landgrave Phillip II. The Marksburg suffered many trials during the 30
years war and again during Louis XIV's campaigns in the 17th century but was never captured or
destroyed.
Since 1900, The Marksburg has been home to the Association for the
Preservation of German Castles (Deutsche Burgenvereiningung). The Marksburg suffered its
darkest hour when, in 1945, the castle came under direct shell-fire by American forces fighting
against Nazi's hiding in the castle. Its wounds were minor.
Marksburg Castle Highlights
The Marksburg has a well designed guided tour. After making your way
through the drawbridge gate and up the path, you will come to a covered entrance with roughed
in steps carved right into the slate floor. These steps were carved with a rough surface
intentionally to keep the Knight's horses from slipping on rainy days.
After following the steps up to the courtyard, you will see the Great
Battery, which houses the cannons that aim out over the lower Rhine protecting the castle and
the town of Braubach.
Working around the Upper Bailey, you come to some steps that lead into
the central courtyard where the tower keep rises 39 meters high. This is the heart of the
castle. Giant wine barrels are located in the cellar below the Knight's Hall. From the Knight's
Hall you can visit the Chapel dedicated to Saint Mark, for which the castle gets its
name.
There is also a castle dungeon which has lots of medieval torture
devices on display and an armory displaying weapons and armor from different periods. The
Romanesque Residential Apartments include furniture to show what the simple yet comfortable
living conditions were like.
The Marksburg has a tavern and gift shop where they sell lots of items
including a paper scale model of the castle that you cut out and glue together to make your own
Marksburg. This is one of the first castles I ever visited and remains my favorite in
Germany.
Marksburg
Castle Visitor Info
Marksburg castle is located along the Middle Rhine above the town of
Braubach, Germany.
The castle is open to the public daily, along with its museum. A gift
shop, guided tours and a restaurant are also available here.
Contact details:
Ticketservice Phone: 0049-2627-206
Email: marksburg@deutsche-burgen.org
Official website: http://www.marksburg.de/english/frame.htm
Marksburg
Castle Map&Location
Address: Marksburg, 56338
Braubach, Germany. Get help with directions using the map provided bellow:
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