Wartburg Castle
Wartburg Castle rises on a rocky ridge above Eisenach in Thuringia, Germany, founded around 1067 by Louis the Springer of the Ludowinger dynasty. Its Palas, commissioned by Landgrave Ludwig II around 1156-1162, is considered the first building of its type in the German-speaking world and the best-preserved non-ecclesiastical Romanesque structure north of the Alps. Martin Luther sheltered here from May 1521 to March 1522, translating the New Testament from Greek into German in just eleven weeks. The 1817 Wartburg Festival drew some 500 students as a rallying point for German unity.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, it inspired Ludwig II when designing Neuschwanstein, whose Sängerhalle echoes Wartburg's great hall.
Visitor information
- Location
- Eisenach, Thuringia
- Country
- Germany
- Tier
- A (Magnificent, well worth a dedicated trip)
- Coordinates
- 50.9661, 10.3064
- Official site
- https://www.wartburg.de/de/
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Wartburg Castle?
- Wartburg Castle is in Eisenach, Thuringia, Germany (approximately 50.9661, 10.3064).
- Can you visit Wartburg Castle?
- Yes — Wartburg Castle is open to visitors; see the official site at https://www.wartburg.de/de/ for hours and tickets.
- What tier is Wartburg Castle on the Castle Atlas?
- Wartburg Castle is rated A tier on the Castle Atlas — Magnificent, well worth a dedicated trip.
- What can you see at Wartburg Castle?
- Wartburg Castle rises on a rocky ridge above Eisenach in Thuringia, Germany, founded around 1067 by Louis the Springer of the Ludowinger dynasty. Its Palas, commissioned by Landgrave Ludwig II around 1156-1162, is considered the first building of its type in the German-speaking world and the best-preserved non-ecclesiastical Romanesque structure north of the Alps. Martin Luther sheltered here from May 1521 to March 1522, translating the New Testament from Greek into German in just eleven weeks. The 1817 Wartburg Festival drew some 500 students as a rallying point for German unity.