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The Wartburg Castle
The Wartburg in Eisenach, Germany (c)
The Wartburg Castle
The Wartburg Castle is Eisenach's principal attraction. The Wartburg’s history goes back to around 1067 and the time when the Ludovingian family ruled Thuringia. The family was powerful enough to consider it proper to add a third floor to the main Romanesque palace building, something that was generally done only for a residence of the German king. St Elizabeth also lived at the Wartburg, shortly before the Ludovingian family died out in 1247.
The Best Castles in Germany
- Schloss Neuschwanstein
- Burg Eltz
- Schloss Heidelberg
- The Marksburg
- The Wartburg
- Schloss Braunfels
- The Residenz
The next period of interest came in 1521, when Elector Friedrich the Wise of Saxony had Martin Luther kidnapped on his way back to Saxony, after Luther had been declared an outlaw at the Diet of Worms. For 10 months, Luther lived in the Wartburg, disguised as a monk called Junker Jörg. In only 10 weeks, he translated the New Testament from Greek into German. The Wartburg has been a drawing card for tourists ever since and pilgrims carried away his original desk splinter by splinter. The current desk on display replaced the paltry remains of the original.
As the Wartburg lost its strategic importance due to changing military technology, the counts moved to more comfortable quarters in town and the castle was left to waste away. It was through the influence of Goethe, who was more impressed by the natural beauty of the Wartburg, rather than its architecture or history, that attempts were made to restore the castle to its former glory. In contrast to other similar castle reconstructions in the Historicist style of the 19th century, the Wartburg followed the original plans to a larger extent.
The Nazis loved the Wartburg and all the symbolism surrounding it. They had the golden Christian cross replaced by a swastika. However, at the end of the war the Wartburg hoisted the white flag to prevent it being damaged by the advancing American troops. It was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999.
[ Related page: Great Castles of Germany ]
Touring the Wartburg
There are three distinct parts when visiting the Wartburg – the palace, the museum and the Luther quarters. The palace can only be seen on a guided tour in German. (English leaflets are available.) The 45-minute tour includes some of the historic rooms dating back to the origins of the castle, such as the knight’s hall, dining room, as well as more modern 19th-century decorated ones, including roof paintings, tributes to St Elizabeth, and the music hall that is used for concerts.
At the end of the tour, visitors are guided straight into the museum, which contains period pieces from the region but not actually from the Wartburg itself. Displays include crockery, silverware, time-keeping instruments, a closet produced by Dürer, and several famous paintings by Lucas Cranach, including two of Martin Luther’s parents. At the end of the museum, cross over to the Lutherstube (Luther’s Room), where Martin Luther worked and slept during his 10-month sojourn at the Wartburg.
The Wartburg is a very popular destination for Germans of all age groups. The castle is a few minutes drive south of the Old Town of Eisenach.
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