History

Originally named Burg Braubach, the Marksburg rises high above the right bank of the River Rhine, crowning a cone-shaped hill overlooking the town of Braubach. The Marksburg is the only hilltop castle on the Middle Rhine to escape destruction or ruin.

The Marksburg

The oldest stonework in the current castle dates from the 12th century. The Eppstein family built a stone keep around 1100 and expanded it into a castle around 1117 to protect the town of Braubach and reinforce the collection of taxes for those traveling on the River Rhine. It was first mentioned in documents in 1231. In 1283, the daughter of Lord Eppstein died, and the Marksburg passed to her husband, Eberhard von Katzenelnbogen. They added the Gothic buildings that give Marksburg its imposing shape and appearance today.

The castle stayed in Katzenelnbogen possession until 1479. The Katzenelnbogen family already possessed several other Rhine castles, including Burg Katz. With the death of Count Phillip the Elder in 1479, the castle passed from the Katzenelnbogens to the Landgraves of Hesse. The Marksburg was expanded to include batteries and bastions for cannons which may have had something to do with the Marksburg not being damaged during the 30 Years' War when other Rhine castles were attacked. The castle had some additions in the 17th and 18th centuries but maintained its medieval character.

The Marksburg suffered its darkest hour when, in March of 1945, the castle came under direct shell fire by American forces fighting against Nazis hiding in the castle. The castle only suffered minor damage. The Marksburg is home to the Association for the Preservation of German Castles (Deutsche Burgenvereiningung).

Castle Highlights

The Marksburg has a well-designed guided tour. After going through the Drawbridge Gate, the Fox Gate, the Notches Gate, and up the path, you will come to a covered entrance with roughed-in steps carved right into the slate floor. These steps were intentionally cut with a rough surface to keep the knight's horses from slipping on rainy days. After following the steps up to the courtyard, you will see the Great Battery, which houses the cannons that aim out over the lower Rhine, protecting the castle and the town of Braubach.

Working around the upper bailey, you come to some steps that lead into the central courtyard where the Tower Keep rises 39 meters high. This is the heart of the castle. Giant wine barrels are located in the cellar below the Knight's Hall. You can visit the chapel dedicated to Saint Mark from the Knight's Hall, where the castle gets its name.

There is also a castle dungeon with many medieval torture devices on display and an armory displaying weapons and armor from different periods. The romanesque residential apartments include furniture to show the simple yet comfortable living conditions. The Marksburg has a tavern and gift shop selling many items, including a paper scale model of the castle that you cut out and glue together to make your own Marksburg. This is one of the first castles I have ever visited and remains my favorite in Germany. If you want to see more than one castle on the same day, Burg Lahneck is just a few miles down the B42 toward Koblenz.

Burg Marksburg has a legend.