Eltz is a castle of unimaginable beauty, which is located in a picturesque area, on a hill surrounded by dense forest. The fortress is unique in that it has never been captured and therefore has been preserved in its original form to this day.
The castle is built along the Moselle River, which is known for its stunning views. In general, there are a lot of medieval fortresses on it, which rise beautifully against the backdrop of luxurious natural landscapes, well-groomed towns, immersed in greenery. As for Eltz, it was built in the forest, between the cities of Koblenz and Trier. At one time, the castle was located at the crossroads of important trade routes of this region.
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Description
The original name of the fortress is Burg Eltz, and the very first written mention of it dates back to 1157. The name is found in a medieval document by Frederick I Barbarossa. From the beginning of the construction itself to our time, which is amazing, the building is owned by a single family.
The fortress is a composition of separate buildings owned by different families. It consists of 8 towers 30-40 meters high. Each of them is fortified with thick stone walls protecting the courtyard. Once upon a time, about 100 crowned guests lived here in about a hundred different rooms of the estate.
Castle architecture
The architectural appearance is different, as the towers were built at different times and in different styles. For example, the oldest part of the castle is in the Romanesque style. Later, from 1490 to 1540, Rodindorf houses were erected here. They got this name in honor of the wife of one of the owners of the castle.
Inside, the facade of such structures is crowned with a balcony with columns. Another component of Eltz is the Kempenich houses, which, according to the time frame, date back to the seventeenth century. They are distinguished by amazing architecture, skillfully making a delightful view of the front courtyard.
Interestingly, any of the components of Eltz includes a complete ensemble of target buildings, typical for a medieval dwelling. So, on the first floor there is a kitchen and pantries, and on the next – a large hall, a bedroom and a chapel, respectively. As already mentioned, the castle has more than 100 rooms. Today, each of them has access to one floor, although in the past all rooms were strictly autonomous from each other.
Interiors
The attitude of the Germans to the historical heritage speaks for itself – the interiors in the castle are authentic. The authentic atmosphere has been preserved here for many centuries. All sorts of historical pictures were filmed in the castle more than once, as the surroundings here are magnificent.
It should also be noted that in many halls and rooms there are exclusive interior details, for example, the famous wooden ceiling of the fifteenth century that adorns the lower hall – the legacy of the Rübenach family. Here you can also enjoy a magnificent fresco in one of the bedrooms. The work dates from 1470.
Boudoirs in the Gothic style, medieval cuisine, halls for knights – each of the rooms is a thorough creation of the masters of that time. They are furnished with beautiful accessories – weapons, decorative figures, figurines and other elements that have belonged to one generation for many centuries.
Since the castle is a functioning museum, here you can appreciate the samples of weapons that are passed on to each subsequent generation, as well as rare jewelry made of precious metals and stones.
The current state of Eltz Castle on the Moselle
It should be noted that the restoration of 1845-1888 made it possible to preserve the external appearance of the structure. A tidy sum was allocated for it – 8 million euros.
In the past, several families owned the castle, because it was not possible for one ruler to build such a building. Similar buildings were built collectively. Now the estate is owned by a society of co-heirs, of course, representatives of the Eltz family. Under them, the castle was opened for travelers, and the proceeds are invested in restoration work.
Castle visit
Since literally every square centimeter is of significant architectural value, photography is prohibited here. In addition, not all rooms are allowed to visit, and some can only be visited for an additional fee. For example, in the treasury.
Excursions are held here in the summer from April to November, daily. Tourists can enjoy the centuries-old heritage for 40 minutes. Of greatest interest is the treasury, where valuable jewelry, luxury items and many other exhibits are located. The tour will cost the tourist 8 euros.
It should be noted that on the territory of the castle, an open terrace, there is a restaurant where you can have a tasty meal. Tourists are also allowed to go on a picnic by the river, where they can enjoy the pleasant silence and nature.
How to get there
Despite the fact that the castle is located in the forest, it is not difficult to get to it. The largest city (Koblenz) is located from here at a distance of 38 kilometers. A local express runs from it to Moselkern – a small, cozy town, which is the end point on the way to the castle.
The hiking trail starts along the river. Along a quiet path, travelers get to the castle, while enjoying the coolness of fresh greenery. There is an option to get here by car, which, of course, is much faster and more comfortable. And finally, you can make a group trip with other tourists.
The stunning Eltz Castle, perched on a sheer mountain and hidden by the Moselle tributaries on both sides, is one of Germany's most picturesque and beautiful cultural landmarks. It is worth visiting here just to enjoy the inherent spirit of the Middle Ages, a genuine, truly fabulous atmosphere.