A fairytale castle in Germany has survived since the medieval era under the care of one single family. Thanks to a community effort and the family’s dedication, the castle stands unscathed by war and demolition and is now beloved the world over as a piece of history, a stunning photo hotspot, and a testament to beauty through the ages.
Eltz Castle, or “Burg Eltz,” is nestled in the hills above the Moselle River between Koblenz and Trier in Germany and has been owned and cared for by at least 34 generations of the Eltz family since it was built in 1157. Many of its original furnishings remain, as does an armory, a treasury, and a collection of gold and silver artifacts.
More of a home than a fortress, it was built to house the Eltz family and secure trade routes between the Mosel and Eifel regions. It was once even featured on the 500 deutsche mark bill.
The castle decorates the skyline, sitting on top of a 230-foot (70-meter) rock spur surrounded by the Elzbach river valley, dense forest, and numerous hiking trails. Eight stories high, the main structure of the castle houses the family’s living quarters, once home to up to 100 family members in 100 rooms.
Johann-Jakob, who lives nearby, grew up in Eltz Castle and still likes to spend time there. He enjoys and takes care of the fastness he still considers home.
“I think many people would recognize it as being similar to their own lives, I’m just very, very fortunate that the surroundings are very beautiful.”
The castle opened for tourism sometime around 1820. A team of 100 staff now runs the site as a business subsidized by government funding, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year searching for a unique insight into German architecture and castle life over almost nine incredible centuries.
