Marksburg

Agrandir le plan

Shortened history of the castle:

In the early 12th century records mention for the first time the keep of the castle. The castle was built by the Eppsteins, a powerful family at that time; four of them were archbishops and electors of Mainz, and one of them held the same position in Trier.

The castle was bought by Count Eberhard II of Katzenelnbogen in 1283 and he built the Gothic part of Marksburg Castle, giving it its striking form.

When the last Count of Katzenelnbogen died in 1479, the castle passed to the Landgraves of Hesse, through the marriage of the heiress Anna to Heinrich of Hesse. Marksburg Castle was turned into a hill fortress with artillery batteries and ramparts.

When the old German empire broke up in 1803 the castle passed into the hands of the Duchy of Nassau. During this period our castle was only used as a home for disabled soldiers and as a state prison.

As a result of the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 the castle was taken over by Prussia.

In the year 1900, with the help of Kaiser WilheIm II, the German Castles Association was able to purchase the Marksburg for the symbolic price of 1,000 Gold Marks, who carried out extensive restoration of the castle.

Opening times and additionnal information:

From 2nd November to 18th March (winter season): 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (first and last admission, guided tours each hour)
From 19th March to 1st November (summer season): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (first and last admission, guided tours start every 15 or 20 minutes)

The castle is closed only on December 24th and 25th.

Fees:
Adults € 5,00 (€ 4,50 in groups of 20 or more)
Students € 4,50 (€ 4,00 in groups of 20 or more)
Schoolchildren € 3,50 (€ 3,00 in groups of 20 or more)
Families (2 adults and 2 or more children) € 13,00

"Burgenticket" (including 10 castles between Rüdesheim and Koblenz)
Adults € 19,00
Children € 9,50

Reservations by Email : marksburg@deutsche-burgen.org