Burg Nideggen

Burg Nideggen is a medieval castle that sits on a rocky hilltop overlooking the Rur Valley in North Rhine-Westphalia. The structure features a central keep, residential buildings, and defensive walls that form the main parts of the fortification.

Founded in 1177, the castle became the main seat of the Counts of Jülich and a strategic defensive point for the region. Over the following centuries, it evolved through various conflicts and changes in control that shaped the wider area.

The castle feels like a window into how people lived and organized their power during the Middle Ages. Walking through its rooms gives you a sense of the daily lives and decisions of the nobles who called this place home.

The castle grounds are accessible and allow time to explore all the different areas at a comfortable pace. Wear sturdy shoes since the pathways up the hill are steep and stone surfaces can be slippery, especially after rain.

Inside the keep are preserved medieval prison cells that show how prisoners were actually held during the period. These cramped, dark rooms give visitors a direct sense of what confinement looked like hundreds of years ago.