Visiting Burg Eltz is like stepping into a fairytale . I have never seen a real castle in my whole life and seeing one for the very first time is a dream come true. I was excited and at the same time thinking if going there would be baby-friendly . I’m so glad we went through with it. This is a great family destination !
A scenic setting
We drove from Osann-Monzel through the quaint towns of Münstermaifeld & picturesque Wierschem . The road trip itself is wonderful , the long & winding road with views of scenic countryside . I always wonder ,”Where is the castle ?” The element of surprise is always there.
We arrived around 4 p.m & we decided to take the shuttle bus from the car park which led us to the castle within 5 minutes. From the steep winding road , it was really a magical experience to finally have a glimpse of Burg Eltz .It was erected in a strategic position along the lower Eltz River, which serves as a tributary of the Moselle. This was a popular trade route linking the Moselle with the Eifel River. The castle was built atop a 70 meter high rock giving it a commanding view of the Elzbach Valley and River Eltz, which flowed around the base of the castle on three sides.
If you want to have a short hiking adventure, (approx. 15 mins. ) starting from the lower car park , the foot path and the private road will both brought you unforgettable views of the castle. We took this road on our way back to the car park since we want to make the most of this adventure . I strongly recommend to wear your baby in a sling for an enjoyable walk through the woods although this footpath can also allow you to have a push chair for your child.
Best Kept Secret Beautiful Architecture
Burg Eltz is simply gorgeous. It is located in the perfect setting , hidden like a gem in the forest . Even though the weather was a bit gray , Burg Eltz still charmed us with its Tudor style buildings & cone-shaped roofs . It’s so striking between the luscious greens of the forest around it.
This castle is one of the most beautiful castle all through out Germany. Burg Eltz is one of the few Rhenish castles that was never destroyed & preserved. As a result of skillful diplomacy, the castle avoided conflict during the 30 years war when most of the Rhine castles were destroyed by the French.The castle consists of eight towers with living quarters grouped around an inner courtyard.
We took the English tour which lasted of about 45 mins. I was really in awe of the interior of the castle . It’s like you are being transported 850 years back. I felt in awe knowing that Me & my daughter is standing at the same floors were the ancient Eltz family stepped on . With baby in a sling around me , i let myself be absorbed through the wonderful journey inside the castle .
A castle with Legacy
Burg Eltz has a distinctive Medieval siege tower at the top of the hill.This is the Trutz-Eltz ,erected by archbishop Balduin of Luxembourg in the mid-14th century.He was trying to take over the entire region between Trier & the Rhine river but the Eltz family & their local allies refused to give in.This was the beginning of the so-called “Eltz-feud” (1331-36), during which Balduin laid siege to Eltz castle. In the courtyard , the stone balls that his men had lobbed at the castle from Trutz-Eltz (also known as Spite-Eltz ) can still be seen.
It’s a wonderful experience that through the tour , you can have an idea what is the living areas of a wealthy noblemen in the late 15th century look like . What’s amazing is how the features like oak beams and fireplaces stayed in place after all these years . The famous Virgin & a child with grapes painting adorns the Lower Hall . It is such an important piece of art . The castle is filled with murals & the ceiling reflect the oriental influence that spread throughout Europe after the crusades. One interesting feature i saw in the Burg Eltz is the built-in toilet . The toilets were flushed using rainwater collected from the roof , through a sewage duct ,and into the valley below . In the middle ages , they use hay & cabbage leaves as toilet paper.The Rodendorf Kitchen is also worth a look .From this ,you can really see what does a 15th century kitchen looks like ,with its built in oven made of volcanic stone ,the huge chopping board , the replicas of food hung on the ceiling to keep out from the reach of rodents.
I highly recommend for you to take the tour in your preferred language to learn more about this castle because it’s amazing. There is a nice Restaurant that you can grab a drink and eat after the tour or just simply enjoy the views surrounding the castle. Clean bathrooms are also present & they also have a souvenir shop.
Travel Tips !
- If you’re travelling with babies , babywearing is much better than carrying them since strollers are not allowed inside .The castle has no ramps and steep stairs during the tour is a high concern.
- Take advantage of getting into Burg Eltz through the short hike ,the wonderful nature is also not to be missed.
- Wear comfortable shoes as the castle grounds is cobbled and climbing the narrow, steep stairs could be a pain .You also need to watch your head during the tour because the ceiling is low in some passageways.
You can find more helpful information in Here if you plan to visit Burg Eltz.
Have you’ve ever been to Burg Eltz ? How was your experience ? Please feel free to share it in the comments.
Again , have a nice day & Thank you for reading !
justbluedutch 
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