Wartburg Castle

Castle Eisenach, Thuringia, Germany

What to expect

The Wartburg Castle is a medieval castle located on a precipice overlooking the town of Eisenach in Thuringia, Germany. With a history spanning over 900 years, the castle has been an important inspiration for many, including Ludwig II when he built Neuschwanstein Castle. It was the home of St. Elisabeth of Hungary and the place where Martin Luther translated the New Testament of the Bible into German. The castle features substantial original structures from the 12th through 15th centuries, although much of the interior dates back to the 19th century. Visitors can explore the castle's quintessential medieval architecture and learn about its historical and religious significance. The castle is also famous for the legendary Sängerkrieg, or Minstrels' Contest, which was later used by Richard Wagner in his opera Tannhäuser

Plan your family visit to the Wartburg Castle with these blog insights 👇

The Dragon Gorge: Hiking with children near Eisenach

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited Wartburg Castle before or after the Drachenschlucht hike. The Drachenschlucht is very close to Wartburg

Highlights: It was a great experience visiting a castle ✨

Eisenach with children: Trip to the Luther City

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited Wartburg, one of the most famous and beautiful castles in Germany. The castle's fame overshadowed the city itself, and we dedicated a separate article to it after our trip

Highlights: Visiting Wartburg was a highlight, even though we focused on other attractions. It's a must-see in Eisenach. "The most travelers... want to go to Wartburg." ✨

Family vacation in Thuringia: The ultimate road trip with children

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the Wartburg. We followed the way of history through the venerable walls. "The room in which Martin Luther translated the Bible into German is the historical highlight."

Highlights: We enjoyed the Wartburg. "The historical flourishes from the 19th century" were at least as good. The audio guide helped to shorten the waiting time ✨

Visiting Wartburg with children: This is how Thuringia's top attraction is worth it

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the Wartburg in October 2020. We walked around the castle, and took the audio tour. We saw the Lutherstube, where Martin Luther translated the Bible. We also visited the Elisabeth-Kemenate, where the walls are covered with golden mosaics. There are also beautiful rooms in the upper floor of the Palas

Highlights: The 13-year-old Silas loved the Elisabeth-Kemenate. The 16-year-old Janis was amazed by the Cranach paintings. We all enjoyed the view of the castle from the Zugbrücke, and the walk through the forest. We also enjoyed the many small retreat locations and information boards on the outside of the castle ✨