Wartburg Castle sits on a steep hill overlooking the city of Eisenach, in the state of Thuringia. The only access is a drawbridge from medieval times and those brave enough to cross the moat will find an ideal castle. It is one of the oldest and best preserved Romanesque castles in Germany and played a role in the life of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
Discover the unique history behind this exemplary German castle and how you can go back in time to see it.
History of Wartburg castle
The foundation was laid in 1067 along with a larger sister castle known as Neuenburg. By 1211, Wartburg was one of the most important princely courts of the German Reich.
The castle became the haven for poets like Walther von der Vogelweide and eventually was the setting for the legendary Sängerkrieg or Wartburgkrieg (Minstrels’ Contest) in 1207. Whether the event actually happened or not, the story of this epic contest inspired Richard Wagner Opera Tannhäuser.
Elisabeth of Hungary lived in the castle from 1211 to 1228 and did charitable works that eventually earned her sainthood. But in 1221 she was only 14 years old to marry Ludwig IV. She was canonized as a saint in 1236, just five years after her death at age 24.
However, the castle’s most famous guest was undoubtedly Martin Luther. From May 1521 to March 1522, Luther remained here under the name Junker Jörg . This was for his own protection after his excommunication by Pope Leo X. While in the castle, Luther translated the New Testament from Ancient Greek into German, making it accessible to the people. The castle remains a pilgrimage site for many of its followers.
The castle fell into disrepair over the centuries, along with much of the region during the Thirty Years’ War. It was used as a refuge during this time for a ruling family.
Little by little, the castle returned to its original glory and on October 18, 1817 the first Wartburgfest was held here with students and Burschenschaften (fraternities) as they celebrated the German victory over Napoleon.
No longer occupied by royal families, the Wartburg Stiftung (Wartburg Foundation) was created in 1922 to maintain the castle. Through World War II and the Soviet occupation, the division of the country and the rule of the GDR, the castle remained. Extensive reconstruction was necessary in the 1950s and the castle was the site of the GDR’s national jubilee in 1967. It also hosted the 900th anniversary of the founding of Wartburg, the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther and the 150th anniversary of the Festival of Wartburg.
The impressive history and architecture of Wartburg Castle was honored by being added to UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites in 1999. Sadly, most of its interiors date back to the 19th century, but many of its original structures can still be seen. 12th century. until the 15th century. It also contains a museum covering more than 900 years of German history. Tapestries, medieval musical instruments, and precious silverware are on display. It is the most visited tourist attraction in Thuringia after Weimar.
Visitor Information for Wartburg Castle
Wartburg Castle website: www.wartburg.de
Address: Auf der Wartburg 1, 99817 Eisenach
Telephone: 036 91/25 00
Opening hours: March – October from 8:30 to 20:00; November – March from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How to get to Eisenach: Eisenach is located 120 miles northeast of Frankfurt.
By car: drive the A4 motorway in the direction of Erfurt-Dresden; Exit 39b “Eisenach-Mitte” will take you to the city of Eisenach, where you will find signs for Wartburg.
By bus: the number 10 city bus travels from the city center to the parking lot.
Getting to Wartburg Castle: The castle can be reached by climbing a steep hill (600 feet) or by shuttle bus, which runs from the parking lot below to the castle. A kid-only option is to ride a donkey uphill (summer only).
Tours de Wartburg:
- Tours available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (summer) / 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (winter). Tour in English at 1:30 PM
- You can only visit the interior of Wartburg as part of a guided tour. It is free to walk the impressive grounds.
- Tours are available in English at 1:30 PM.
- The highlight of the tour is Martin Luther’s sparsely furnished, but impressive, cell. Be on the lookout for an ink stain on the wall; Luther is said to have thrown an inkwell at the devil.
Admission / Fees to Wartburg: € 6-10 for adults, € 4-8 for students and disabled visitors; € 2 for photo and video permission
Good to know:
- The Wartburg has an adjacent hotel, Wartburg Hotel, with a very good restaurant.
- A traditional Christmas market is held here in winter, with historic crafts like glass blowing and stone cutting.
