Restored/tours/amenities/open to public
1100, but the site has much earlier records
1231 owned as a fief by Herren von Eppstein

 This is one of Germany's must see castles. A rare example of history virtually undisturbed by the march of time, Marksburg has become a most appropriate home for the German Castle Association. It sits above the town of Braubach, which is also the castle's original name, with a commanding view from the East bank of the Rhine river. Other than the additions and maintenance over the centuries Marksburg remains much as it was when it served its original function as the fortified residence of some of German history's more notable names. In fact, the only serious damage the Marksburg ever suffered in hostilities occured near the close of WWII when it was shelled from the west bank of the Rhine.

Left: The view from the end of the outer defenses into the castle and seeing the entrance (top of door visible above staircase in center) to Fox Tower. The gate to the right of the tower leads to the outer wall on the west side of the castle facing the Rhine river. Beyond Fox Tower is Castellan's Tower through which access is gained to the castle proper.

The image above right, is inside Castellan's Tower with its steps carved from the rock upon which the castle is built. Directly above the walk is the Great Battery and the overhead structure at the other end of the walk is the Small Battery. Below is the Gothic style kitchen and dining table with its massive hearth at left. Below that is a living room in the dwelling house. The living room included a bed, though these pieces are not original to this room. They are authentic pieces collected or contributed over the years.

 In 1283 the castle came into the hands of the Counts of Katzenelnbogen by way of marriage to a daughter of the Count of Eppstein. The Katzenelnbogen family became one of Medieval Germany's most powerful dynasties.

While there were many hostilities around the area and many threats to the castle it was never in any real danger, partly due to its well placed location and partly because of preparation and luck. The most damage done to the castle prior to WWII was from earthquakes. But had it ever had to put up a strong defense, especially in later centuries, the many powerful cannons, which still aim out from the batteries, would likely have prevailed.

The castle was supported in its earliest history through tolls enforced on traffic negotiating the Rhine. This was a popular revenue producer both for the castles of nobles as well as castles of robber barrons.

The ground plan to the right is aligned with the bottom facing the Rhine river.

 

 

 

 

 

 


The plan to the left is the entry level of the main building seen at the bottom left corner of the ground plan above.

 

 

 


 

The floorplan to the right is the attic or upper story and access to the berfried or keep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The floorplan to the left is the upper floor and the bottom floorplan is the cellar. Note the extreme thickness of the outer walls and the wide use of the base rock as part of the structure.

 

 


 

 

The German Castle Association, based at the Marksburg castle has generously granted me the rights to the use of these floorplans. Without the association it is unlikely that the extent of preservation extended throughout the castle would have been feasable. The association has been organized since 1899. It is open to membership. You can contact the association by clicking on to their web site: http://www.deutsche-burgen.org or write them (preferably in German) at:

Geschaftsstelle
Deutsche Burgenvereinigung E.V.
5423 Braubach/Rhein
Marksburg
Germany

 

 

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