Eisenach - Wartburg Castle 
Legend and history
One of the most historically interesting castles in Germany crowns the Wartberg above Eisenach. According to the legend, the Wartburg was founded by Ludwig the Jumper in 1067. With the growing strength and importance of the Landgraves the military stronghold soon became also a center of government and culture. This was the scene of the famous Sängerkrieg ("Singers' War"), a contest between the minnesingers of the High Middle Ages, including Wolfram von Eschenbach, Heinrich von Ofterdingen, Heinrich von Veldecke and Walther von der Vogelweide, which provided the theme of Wagner's "Tannhäuser".
In 1235 the Landgravine Elizabeth, a Hungarian princess who cared for the sick and the poor in the Wartburg, was canonized as St Elizabeth (St Erzsébet) of Hungary.
One of the most historically interesting castles in Germany crowns the Wartberg above Eisenach. According to the legend, the Wartburg was founded by Ludwig the Jumper in 1067. With the growing strength and importance of the Landgraves the military stronghold soon became also a center of government and culture. This was the scene of the famous Sängerkrieg ("Singers' War"), a contest between the minnesingers of the High Middle Ages, including Wolfram von Eschenbach, Heinrich von Ofterdingen, Heinrich von Veldecke and Walther von der Vogelweide, which provided the theme of Wagner's "Tannhäuser".
In 1235 the Landgravine Elizabeth, a Hungarian princess who cared for the sick and the poor in the Wartburg, was canonized as St Elizabeth (St Erzsébet) of Hungary.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
Wartburg Castle
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Martin Luther, under the name of "Junker Jörg", lived in the Wartburg in 1521-22 under the protection of the Elector. While staying here he translated the New Testament from the original Greek, making a major contribution to the development of modern German.
The castle
The only means of access to the Wartburg is by the drawbridge (Zugbrücke) and gatehouse (Torhaus) near the north end. There are several arched gateways (some of them with fragments of Romanesque and Gothic pillars), the outer ward (Erster Burghof), with half-timbered buildings of the 15th and 16th centuries (restored) - wall-walks, the Ritterhaus (Knights' House), the Vogtei (Governor's Residence), with a fine oriel window. Between the outer and inner wards is an imposing complex, consisting of the Torhalle (gatehouse), the Dirnitz (winter residence), the Neue Kemenate (the Landgravine's quarters) and the Berchfrit (keep), all in neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic style.
The inner ward (Zweiter Burghof), with the Gaden (Hall), the castle cistern (Zisterne), the south tower (Südturm; 13th c.) and the Late Romanesque Palace (Palais), is the oldest and finest part of the whole castle. Other buildings which formerly stood in this area have disappeared.
The castle
The only means of access to the Wartburg is by the drawbridge (Zugbrücke) and gatehouse (Torhaus) near the north end. There are several arched gateways (some of them with fragments of Romanesque and Gothic pillars), the outer ward (Erster Burghof), with half-timbered buildings of the 15th and 16th centuries (restored) - wall-walks, the Ritterhaus (Knights' House), the Vogtei (Governor's Residence), with a fine oriel window. Between the outer and inner wards is an imposing complex, consisting of the Torhalle (gatehouse), the Dirnitz (winter residence), the Neue Kemenate (the Landgravine's quarters) and the Berchfrit (keep), all in neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic style.
The inner ward (Zweiter Burghof), with the Gaden (Hall), the castle cistern (Zisterne), the south tower (Südturm; 13th c.) and the Late Romanesque Palace (Palais), is the oldest and finest part of the whole castle. Other buildings which formerly stood in this area have disappeared.
Hours
March 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
November 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 |
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Facilities
On-site accomodations
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Related Attractions
Neue Kemenate & Dirnitz
From the Romanesque part of the Wartburg Palace in Eisenach we pass into the museum in the Neue Kemenate and the Dirnitz. Among the most notable items to be seen here are a number of fine works of art in the Wartburg collection - Late Gothic tapestries, paintings by Lucas Cranach the Elder, sculpture from the workshop of Tilman Riemenschneider and a carved press designed by Albrecht Dürer. There is also an exhibition on the history of the Wartburg. Also of interest are the 15th C Pirckheimerstübchen and the 17th C Schweizerzimmer.
Wartburg - Lutherstube
The wall-walk on the west side of the Wartburg castle in Eisenach leads past the Eseltreiberstübchen (Donkey-Driver's Room) to the Lutherstube (Luther's Room), almost unchanged since Luther's time, with pictures by Lucas Cranach the Elder.
Wartburg - Palace
In the Wartburg Palace in Eisenach are the Romanesque Knights' Hall (Rittersaal; groined vaulting), the southern Kemenate and the dining hall (columns with fine eagle capitals). In similar style is the Elisabeth-Kemenate (mosaics with scenes from the life of St Elizabeth, 1902-06). The simple chapel was built about 1320. On the first floor are the Elisabeth-Galerie (frescoes by Moritz von Schwindt), the Sängersaal (in which the contest between minnesingers is said to have taken place) and the Landgrave's Room. The whole of the third floor is occupied by the Festsaal, with rich 19th C decoration.
