Visitors walk through one of the outer gatehouses of Ronneburg castle in Germany on Oct. 20, 2024. About an hour drive from Wiesbaden, Ronneburg is one of only a few castles in Germany that retain their original 16th-century design. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

Many of Germany’s signature castles, from Schwerin in the north to Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, are bucket-list items for hosts of visitors and residents from abroad.  

The stony ramparts in Ronneburg, about an hour northeast of Wiesbaden, may not rise to that exacting standard, but this lesser-known combination of castle and museum does an admirable job of bringing history to life with an array of demonstrations and activities.

The medieval market on the castle grounds in mid-October originally sparked my family’s interest in Ronneburg. But the museum was closed during the festival, so I returned by myself for a walk through the castle.

Climbing more than 130 stairs to the top of the tower keep treats visitors to a 360-degree view of the castle grounds and the towns around Ronneburg, Germany. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

The tower keep at the castle in Ronneburg, Germany, is one of the oldest structures in the castle complex. The porthole about halfway up the tower was the original entrance, when the lower levels were used as a dungeon. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

I took the self-guided tour, exploring assorted rooms filled with furniture and other everyday items from the 16th to 19th centuries. Guided tours are also available in English with advance coordination.

In addition, the museum offers in-depth courses and seminars, allowing participants to reenact life in the Middle Ages and Renaissance through crafting, combat, archery, bow-making and even cooking in the castle’s kitchen and bakehouse. 

The alchemist’s kitchen is one of approximately 20 areas visitors to the Ronneburg castle museum can explore. Historians date the castle in Ronneburg, Germany, to the early to mid-13th century. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

The castle in Ronneburg, Germany, has seen its share of destruction, construction and renovation since the 13th century. Visitors today can take a self-guided tour, watch demonstrations and shop at the seasonal Christmas market. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

The classes range from two hours in length to about half a day, so they are doable on a day trip. Although separate from the tour, they include entrance to the museum.

And while the instruction is primarily in German, museum staffers can facilitate English speakers for some course offerings if requested in advance.

A father and son pour a bucket of water down the well of the castle in Ronneburg, Germany, on Oct. 20, 2024. The well is estimated to be at least 750 years old and is more than 300 feet deep. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

Some of the oldest structures still standing are the tower keep and the well, which is about 300 feet deep and estimated to be more than 750 years old. Guests can pour a bucket of water down the well to hear the echo far below.

A climb of about 130 spiraling stone steps and steep wooden stairs took me up to the top of the tower with a 360-degree view of the castle grounds and surrounding towns.  

The lookout platforms and stairs did feel a bit cramped at times, with about 20 other visitors coming and going. Returning to the courtyard, I came upon a falconry demonstration, which ended up being the highlight of my visit. 

After a brief presentation on the birds of prey and other wildlife in the area, young visitors had the opportunity to don a large falconer’s glove and have the bird land on their arm.

Guests watch a falconry demonstration while visiting Ronneburg castle on Oct. 20, 2024. There is an aviary on the castle grounds that promotes conservation and education efforts in the area. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

A falcon lands on a girl’s arm during an interactive demonstration Oct. 20, 2024, at the castle in Ronneburg, Germany. The castle offers various demonstrations and classes to help guests experience some aspects of life in the Middle Ages and early Renaissance. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

Various other demonstrations take place on a rotational basis, including hand-to-hand combat, archery and leather working.

Ronneburg’s castle is one of only a few in Germany that have maintained their structure and design from the 1500s on, according to the museum’s website and information displayed in the museum. It dates back to the 1200s, but historians suspect that an older stronghold may have existed there many years before.

Viking and Germanic tribe reenactors from the Drengr Gard participate in a combat training demonstration on the grounds of the Ronneburg castle in Germany on Oct. 20, 2024. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

There is also a restaurant, cafe and beer garden on site offering visitors the opportunity to feast within the outer walls of the castle grounds.

With the museum’s impending winter break from the end of November to the beginning of March, interested visitors have only a couple of more weeks to plan a visit or participate in a course.

However, the castle will remain a draw for visitors for part of the winter break, as it will host a Middle Ages Christmas market during the first three weekends of December.  

Ronneburg Castle Museum  Address: Auf der Burg 1, Ronneburg, Germany

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed for winter break Nov. 25-Feb. 28 

Prices: Adults, 7.50 euros; kids 5 and up, 6 euros; family ticket (two adults and two kids), 24 euros 

Information: Phone: +49 6048950905, email; museum@burg-ronneburg.de, online: burg-ronneburg.de