Marksburg, Medieval castle in Braubach, Germany
Marksburg is a castle on a hilltop above the Rhine River near Braubach, with thick walls, defensive towers, and a palace on the western side. The building shows how such fortifications were structured in the Middle Ages to protect people and property.
The castle began in 1117 and was ruled by different families over the decades who expanded and changed it. Under the rule of the Katzenelnbogen counts, it received its Gothic features and underwent major rebuilding.
The site is run by the German Castle Association and displays how people lived there over centuries. The rooms show everyday life and special moments from the medieval period.
Visitors should wear sturdy shoes, as the path uphill is steep and the old stairs are uneven. In summer it can get warm on the open grounds, so bringing water to drink is a good idea.
The castle was sold in 1900 for 1,000 gold marks to the German Castles Association, founded a year earlier as a private initiative to preserve castles in Germany. Since 1931 the Marksburg has served as the head office of this organisation. In March 1945 American artillery fire from across the Rhine badly damaged the complex.
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