The Eifel is an ancient cultural landscape in the heart of Europe. Powerful noble families lived here and knights fought their battles here. Today, the many castles and palaces provide a fascinating fairytale backdrop for hiking, cycling or excursions.
One of the most beautiful castles in Europe: Eltz Castle with its countless battlements, which is enthroned on a narrow mountain spur and has never been conquered. The impressive moated castle of Satzvey Castle brings history to life in the context of many events. But the other magnificent medieval buildings are also enchanting. A visit is worthwhile... as a refreshing break from hiking, as a spectacular cultural treasure, as a short journey back in time to the era of minnesong and juggling.
From fairytale castle to knight's castle
Would you like to get an idea of how people lived in a castle or what it looks like inside? Some castles and palaces in the Eifel were never destroyed or rebuilt. You can also visit them from the inside:
Welcome to "Burg Satzvey", one of the most beautiful water castles in the Rhineland region.
The spa town of Manderscheid is most famous for two medieval castle ruins that stand directly opposite each other on steep mountain spurs not far from the town's alleyways. The massive complexes are separated only by the little Lieser river and a meadow, which in summer becomes a perfect place for a breather while hiking the Eifelsteig trail or for a family picnic with children. On a weekend in August, however, the castles and the meadow are ideal settings for a spectacular festival with quaint crafts, jugglers, jousting tournaments and minstrel singing. In Advent, the Manderscheid Castle Christmas lends the town a special magic. The freely accessible upper castle with its five-storey keep still looks martial today. The lower castle can be explored on guided tours - even at night - or on your own; it only remains closed in bad weather.
High towers, picturesque oriels, protective walls and a deep castle moat amaze visitors when the well-preserved medieval castle appears out of nowhere on one of the hiking trails - e.g. the award-winning dream trail "Eltzer Burgpanorama". The interior holds some well-preserved treasures: the imposing knights' hall, the armoury and treasure chamber or the bedrooms, living rooms and writing rooms. All this can be experienced on a guided tour between April and November.
The Genovevaburg castle is one of the landmarks of the town of Mayen and can be seen from far and wide on a crest of rock above the market square. The late Gothic castle has been besieged, destroyed and rebuilt several times during its eventful history.
The late medieval fortress from the 14th Century in Hamm near Bitburg is the largest of the castles in the Eifel still privately occupied. Here you can celebrate special occasions, be civilly married, get religiously married the Baroque chapel, dine in the Knights Hall, dance, celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, hold a champagne reception in the courtyard and much more.
The castle ruin and fortified settlement of Kronenburg Kronenburg Castle was one of the characteristic medieval hill-castles of the Eifel built on the spur of a ridge in the Upper Kyll Valley. The self-contained impression of the castle ruin, outer bailey and fortified settlement and their adaptation to the topography make the special charm of this site. Kronenburg was first mentioned in a charter of the Abbey Stablo Malmedy in 1277. Today the locality is a touristic attraction in the Upper Kyll Valley.
The neighboring ruins of the Lion Castle, also known as Monreal Castle, and the Philippsburg, popularly called "the Rech" (roe deer), lofty above the picturesque half-timbered Monreal on a 350 m above sea level. NN high mountain spur.
Nürburg castle is famous not only for the nearby legendary racetrack.
From the keep of Prümer Burg on the steep cliff, you have a wonderful view over the Prüm Valley.
The nearly 700 year-old water castle is located three kilometers north of Bitburg in Rittersdorf. It houses in the Gothic Knights' Hall, the registrar's office (branch) of the District Administration of the Bitburg region.