Altena Castle, Medieval castle museum in Altena, Germany

Altena Castle sits on a hilltop overlooking the Lenne River and contains several exhibition spaces showing regional history and medieval architecture. The building blends its original fortress structure with museum displays that cover everything from local crafts to social history.

The castle was built in the 12th century as a fortress and later transformed into a cultural space. In 1914, it became the location of the world's first permanent youth hostel, marking a turning point in its purpose.

The German Wire Museum inside the castle shows how wire-making shaped the local economy and daily life for centuries. You can see the tools, techniques, and products that made this region known throughout Europe.

You reach the castle by taking an experience elevator that goes through a tunnel into the hillside, making the climb easy. The exhibitions spread across multiple levels, so plan time to explore and wear comfortable shoes for walking through the different rooms.

The original rooms from the 1914 youth hostel remain as a museum, showing what the world's first hostel accommodation actually looked like. You can see the actual bedrooms and facilities that were available to young travelers back then.

• Location: Altena
• Address: Fritz-Thomee-Straße 80, 58762 Altena
• Phone: [phone]
• Website: https://burg-altena.de
• GPS coordinates: 51.29956,7.67498
• Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:27