Eltz Castle

Eltz Castle

A castle out of a fairy tale

Hidden in a deep, forested valley above the river Moselle, Eltz Castle rises so suddenly and so beautifully from the trees that it looks like something from a dream. A cluster of tall towers, turrets, gables and half-timbered upper storeys all crowd together on a rock surrounded by a stream, creating one of the most enchanting castles in all of Europe. Many people consider Burg Eltz the most beautiful castle in Germany.

Over 850 years in one family

What makes Eltz truly special is its remarkable continuity. The castle has belonged to the same family — the Eltz family — for more than 850 years, over some 33 generations, and it is still owned by them today. Few castles anywhere have stayed in one family for so long.

The castle was first built in the 1100s, and it grew over the centuries as different branches of the family added their own towers and houses around the central courtyard. This is why Eltz has such a wonderfully crowded, many-towered look: it is really several family homes packed together on one rock.

Never destroyed

While most medieval castles were captured, wrecked or blown up at some point in their history, Eltz was never destroyed. Its hidden valley location protected it, and clever diplomacy kept it safe through wars that ruined other castles. As a result, Eltz survives almost completely intact, with its original furnishings, paintings, armour and treasures still in place.

Walking through its rooms is like stepping straight into the Middle Ages and the centuries that followed, with everything as the family left it — a rare and precious survival.

On the banknote

Eltz Castle was so beloved as a symbol of German heritage that its image appeared on the German 500-mark banknote, before the euro replaced the mark. Generations of Germans carried a picture of this fairytale castle in their wallets, and it remains one of the country's most cherished landmarks.

A magical approach

Part of the joy of Eltz is reaching it. The castle cannot be seen from afar; visitors walk down through the forest, and then suddenly the towers appear, rising from the trees across the little valley. This dramatic first glimpse is one of the most magical moments at any German castle.

Visiting today

Visitors walk down through the woods to the castle, then tour its perfectly preserved rooms, full of original furniture, armour and a famous treasury of gold and silver. The forested valley setting and the castle's fairytale silhouette make every visit unforgettable. Beautiful, intact and lovingly kept by the same family for over 850 years, Eltz Castle is one of the true jewels of Germany.