Stadtburg Andernach

Stadtburg Andernach is a castle from the late medieval period distinguished by a square tower, massive fortified walls, and a parallelogram-shaped water castle layout. The site today is marked by strategic access points that still show its original controlling function.

The castle was built in the late 12th century under Archbishop Rainald von Dassel to secure the city of Andernach. In 1689 it suffered severe damage during the War of the Palatine Succession, which ended its role as an active military defense structure.

The structure shows building styles from different periods, combining Romanesque foundations with Gothic and Renaissance elements added in the 15th century. This layering of styles makes the place a textbook of medieval architecture written in stone.

The upper floors of the castle serve today as a venue for weddings and celebrations, which is also open to visitors. It is wise to check opening times in advance, as they can vary depending on scheduled events.

The structure was once surrounded by a complex water system designed for defense, yet this intricate arrangement is barely visible today. The former water castle layout reveals how water was weaponized in medieval warfare, even though little of this engineering remains apparent.