Our adventure Brodenbach leads us to the Ehrenburg. We drive out of town along a road with switchbacks higher and higher into the Hunsrück and finally arrive at a large parking lot. From here we walk another 400 meters downhill until we reach the Ehrenburg.
At my first glance at the castle, a song line pops into my head “Ja so warn’s, Ja so warn’s die oidenn Rittersleut,…”.
The flags are flying on the castle tower, the coats of arms decorate the castle walls. The only thing missing is the knight who rides his horse from the castle towards me, flips up his visor from his helmet and asks why I am coming to the castle. Oh, what a head cinema, I have read too many medieval novels…
Facts for history buffs
Ehrenburg Castle is located on a rocky spur in the Ehrbach Valley, a side valley of the Moselle in Hunsrück.
It is believed to have served as an escape and defensive fortress since the early Middle Ages, when it was owned by the Trier church. In 1161, the castle was mentioned in a document for the first time, and said that the Count Palatine Konrad von Hohenstaufen was given Ehrenburg as a sub-loan for securing the Moselle crossing. This agreement was kept until the end of the 18th century.
In the absence of male heirs in the Ehrenberger family, the castle had been held by feudatories since the end of the 14th century.
In 1688 French soldiers occupied the castle. In 1689 they blew up large parts of the castle, only the chapel was spared.
The castle has been privately owned since 1991 and has been maintained and rebuilt with loving attention to detail since 1993 by a non-profit circle of friends using private funds.
Adventure Ehrenburg
I am standing in front of the bridge that spans an artificial moat. It leads through the two-story fort tower into the outer bailey.
Stepping into the castle, one enters another world.
A minstrel welcomes me with his singing on the lyre. Later, he will lead the castle tour and tell about the castle in a very child-friendly way.
The forecourt is characterized by medieval crafts. Felting, woodworking, pottery and blacksmithing can not only be seen here, but also partly tried out.
Especially for children an unforgettable experience to create their own product with their own hands. I stood by the blacksmith for quite a long time and watched enthusiastically as he made a small filigree horseshoe from an iron bar.
At the beginning of the 16th century, the bastion and ramp tower was built. Inside, a spiral walkway leads up to the tower plateau. Today you can walk along this path in dim light. Only sparse light falls through some embrasures. In the past, cannons were placed there to defend the castle. So that the powder smoke could escape, there is a chimney shaft inside the tower.
At the top, you step out onto a plateau. From here you can already enjoy a great panoramic view of the Ehrenbach Valley.
My goal is to climb even further up to the tower of the castle.
The tower of the castle is about 20 meters high. If you look closely, you can see that there are two towers, which stand next to each other. According to research, both towers were built at different times, but the reason for this is not yet scientifically proven. It is assumed, however, that they had a defensive function and a storage function. In the southern tower there was a dungeon and a room for the turret, who kept watch from above.
A narrow and very irregular spiral staircase leads up the tower. Once at the top, you stand on a viewing platform that extends over both towers.
The view is really breathtaking and I enjoy the view over the valley.
Back in the outer castle, I discover the entrance to the knights’ hall, which is used by visitors and guests of the castle hotel. Sitting here with a delicious knight’s feast could please me.
The Ehrenburg is definitely worth a visit. I spent a few pleasant hours here and would gladly come again. Perhaps for an exciting mystery dinner …
Opening hours:
Early spring – November 1:
Monday – Saturday: 10 -17 h
Sundays and holidays: 11 -17 h
Admission fees:
Monday – Saturday:
Adults: 4,-€
Children:3,- €
Family Sundays:
Adults: 5,50 €
Children: 4,50 €
Theme parties:
Adults: 8,- €
Children: 6,- €
Family tickets are offered
Disclosure: The visit to Ehrenburg Castle was part of the blogger trip “Adventure Brodenbach” and was made possible for me free of charge. The report reflects exclusively my own opinion.
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