Burg Metternich

Burg Beilstein

History

Burg Metternich is a hilltop castle overlooking the town of Beilstein on the Mosel River in Germany.

Older accounts date the castle to around 1120-1129, but newer research indicates the current castle was built around the middle of the 13th century, a few decades before it was first documented in 1268, then known as Burg Beilstein and owned by Johann von Braunshorn, a vassal of the Archbishop of Cologne.

The Braunshorn male line died out in 1361, and in 1363, the castle passed to Kuno and Gerlach von Winneburg, grandsons through the female line. Parts of the castle were later sold to the Archbishop of Trier.

The keep and ruined buildings seen from across the Moselle.

The castle served as a Ganerbenburg, shared by multiple family branches with separate buildings and entrances built by different Winneburg lines. In 1488, the Archbishop of Trier defended claims to half of the castle during the Beilstein Feud.

The castle survived largely intact during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) despite being occupied by Swedish and Spanish troops.

The Winneburg-Beilstein line died out in 1637, and the castle passed to the Lords of Metternich, who gave it its current name. In 1652, they received full rights to the castle from the Archbishop of Trier after a dispute.

The keep above the vineyards.

On February 2nd, 1689, French troops under Count Montalt destroyed the castle during the War of Palatine Succession (Nine Years' War). The castle was never rebuilt and was left in ruins.

The Metternichs retained ownership into the 19th century, with statesman Klemens von Metternich among the family's last owners, before the castle passed into private hands. It passed through several owners, including the Sprenger-Herzer family, who acquired it in 1962. The castle is still privately owned but open to visitors.

Castle Highlights

Though in ruins, Burg Metternich still stands above the River Mosel, its tall, slender five-sided keep rising 25 meters and dominating the site, which measures about 80 by 50 meters. The keep now serves as an observation tower, providing views over the town of Beilstein and the Mosel Valley.

The castle high above the Moselle valley.

Other features include the Zwinger (outer defenses), parts of the residential buildings, and a gate. On the south side of the keep rises a portal building flanked by two round towers, likely dating to the 14th century.

On the north side of the castle, at the narrowest point of the inner courtyard, is the main gate building with flanking outbuildings. Beyond that lies the outer bailey, protected by a round tower at the northwest corner.

A restaurant with a beer garden now operates within the ruins, with a panorama terrace.

Burg Metternich is worth a stop for the views and a beverage, and it makes a good companion to nearby Burg Reichsburg in Cochem or Burg Eltz, both of which can take most of a day to visit.