Marksburg

The Marksburg is one of the most preserved medieval castles in Europe, and is a real delight to visit.  It even had a tour that I enjoyed!  It is also one of the few castles that allow you to take interior photos during tours.  It is certainly the prerogative of castle associations and owners to restrict photography, and I have no trouble with this.  But concurrently, I lose interest in tours if I can't take photos. 

Tours are at times conducted in English, but I went with a German one to work on my German skills.  I admit that I understood about 3/4 of what the guide said.  Naturally, context helps and this is one of the keys to learning any language.

The Marksburg was started around the 1200s, and rests above the town of Braubach.  It is one of the few medieval castles that was never destroyed.  Therefore, it is in pristine condition, and even more so since its recent renovation (above 2005; the photo at right taken in 1978).

My German relatives told me, though I have not been able to confirm this, that there is a legned attached to Marksburg that when it was once besieged it held out for so long that the besiegers thought the castle had a secret tunnel somewhere going under the Rhein to allow them to get supplies.  The siege was of course unsuccessful.

Below is a view of the castle from the back, with the river beyond the hill.  The Marksburg is also unique in that it has a triangular courtyard within.   At the right, a plan of the castle from the English language brochure.

Two views of the Marksburg as one travels up Route 42 north.  The photo on the left was taken in 2007 from the window of my rental car.  The photo on the right was taken in 1979 while I was hiking along the Rhein.

The Marksburg in the mist, as seen in 2008.  The weather, while overall excellent in July and August, had a few days where the fog rolled in.  However, it does create a unique "medieval" effect!