Burg Eltz – 1000 Years of History

Germany has no shortage of castles. In fact, there are about 20,00 of them throughout the country. One of my favorites is Burg (castle) Eltz, located in Wierschem in western Germany.

Let’s Hear About That History!

850 years old, the castle has been a staple in Germany for some time. Located not far from the Moselle River, Burg Eltz has been standing in Germany since before the Middle (Medieval) Ages. Since then, the country has seen many battles. With much luck and an isolated position, it is one of the only castles not to be destroyed or harmed during any wars or battles.

The castle hosts incredible architecture, with the current design dating back to the 1600s. It looks like a real-life gingerbread castle. The details of the interior and exterior are prime examples of the craftsmanship we do not see much in today’s world. The exterior features copper dragon gutter covers, red and white painted turrets, as well as other intricate details. The interior has a few rooms staged as they were in the 16th and 17th centuries. The rooms included bedrooms, a kitchen, a hunting room, and others.

Burg Eltz Visitor Information

The castle owners offer tours of the facility. I highly recommend taking the tour, which will allow you inside access to the castle and highly informative tour guides. Tours are available from April to November, from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm every day. The guided tours are available in multiple languages (English, German, French, and Dutch). Tours cost 10€ per adult and 6.50€ per child.

In addition to an inside tour, a ticket includes access to the Treasury room, which houses treasures from all over Europe – including many gold pieces, ivory, and old weapons. I was seriously amazed to see so many treasures in one place. Unfortunately, we ran out of time to see all of the items in the Treasury, but we did get to walk through each of the multiple floors. It was a sight to see.

Further Visiting Information

• Parking costs 2€ per car
• Can use a footpath or a shuttle to get to the castle from the parking lot
• The footpath takes you through the woods; the shuttle will take you on a road. You can walk on the road and get beautiful views
• Two restaurants in the castle; both looked nice, with many food options and ample seating
• Extensive gift shop with many souvenirs for purchase

The area in and around Burg Eltz is very picturesque. The castle is beautiful in all seasons, whether you can see the entire castle or only the exterior. If you get the chance, make sure you take a tour if they’re available. The guides are incredible and provide much more information than you can gather from online research. And honestly, visiting the rooms and Treasury are so worth it!

A Meal Fit For A Queen

If you’re itching for a second quick dose of castles, visit Burg Thurant, only a short drive from Burg Eltz. For a quick and delicious bite to eat, stop at Turmgasthaus Burg Thurant, a hotel and restaurant located on the Moselle River.

Less than 15 minutes from Burg Eltz, the restaurant offered a limited but scrumptious menu. I went with a Zander fish filet with Reisling sauce, with cabbage and potatoes. The employees of the restaurant were great, as well. They could tell that I was struggling with translating the menu and were quick to offer help. I would eat there again!

Fun Fact: A bed in the castle is from the Middle Ages and has several steps leading to the mattress. The guide told us that the saying “climbing into bed” came from this period.

Extra Fun Fact: The same family, the Eltz family, has owned the castle since its construction.

Until my next adventure,

Robyn ♥

Read about more castles I visited in Germany: Schloss Neuschwanstein, Schloss Heidelberg, and Burg Nanstein.