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 centuries 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 Nazis 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, from 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:
Ticket service Phone: 0049-2627-206
Email: marksburg@deutsche-burgen.org
Official website: http://www.marksburg.de/english/frame.htm
Marksburg Castle Location
Address: Marksburg, 56338 Braubach, Germany. Get help with directions using the map provided below: