Marksburg Castle, Braubach
The mother of all Rhine castles
Perched high above the river, the 13th-century Marksburg Castle is a major landmark and part of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO world heritage site. The only hilltop castle on the Rhine never to have been destroyed, it is the seat of the German Castles Association (DBV) and provides an almost unparalleled depiction of life in a medieval castle. A tour of the castle starts off impressively as you climb the stone equestrian staircase before passing through a beautiful medieval herb and medicinal plant garden. Other attractions include the wine cellar, authentic kitchen, banqueting hall, forge and an exhibition of torture instruments. The interesting guided tours provide information about many aspects of life in a medieval castle and show how the origins of many a German saying can be traced back to this time.
