One of the highly decorated rooms shown during the 40-minute tour of Burg Eltz. (Peter Jaeger / S&S)
Germany’s most popular castle?
Definitely Burg Eltz. For 30 years, from 1965 to 1995, the image of this impressive castle decorated the backside of the 500 Deutschmark bill.
The 500 mark bill is history, but Burg Eltz, with its steep walls, towers and turrets, still rises proudly over the Eltz River.
Surrounded by deep forests and located on a cliff within the Eltz valley, the castle is reachable on hiking paths or a small road by a shuttle bus.
Looking down from the surrounding wooden hills, the castle is a dream transformed into reality.
Burg Eltz was erected almost 1,000 years ago, and while most German castles in the nearby Mosel valley were destroyed, Eltz escaped that fate.
Burg Eltz has everything the castle buff could ask for: festive knights’ halls, decorative dormitories with colorful painted walls, armor and weapons, paintings and sculptures and chinaware and an authentic medieval kitchen with a huge fireplace.
The 40-minute tour through the castle is a fascinating trip through the centuries and their customs, presented by well-educated guides bring the Middle Ages to life.
The treasury was recently restored and shows a wide variety of masterpieces in silver and gold, such as table decorations, sculptures and a magnificent collection of crossbows.
On the QT
Directions: Burg Eltz is in the Eltz valley leading into the famous Mosel valley. Between Cochem and Koblenz, follow B416 to Moselkern or Hatzenport or Lehmen. From each of these small towns, signs will lead you to a big parking lot for buses and cars. A shuttle bus brings you to Eltz castle (Round trip: 3 euros). Or you can walk to it in 15 minutes.
For hikers and people who enjoy a scenic walk, drive to Müden on B416 and follow signs up to Müdener Berg parking. A 30-minute downhill walk through beautiful forests will present you with impressive views of the castle.
Food: There are self-service restaurants underneath the castle.
Cost: Admission is 6 euros for adults, a family card for two adults and at least two kids is 18 euros. Student tickets are 4.50 euros. Groups over 20: 5 euros each. Admission for the treasury is 2.50 for adults and 1.50 euros for children. Parking is 1.50 euros.
Hours: The castle opens April 1 and closes Nov. 1. Open daily between 9.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m.
Additional info: http://www.burg-eltz.de.
Telephone: +49 (0) 2672 950 500
