Marksburg Castle

　　Marksburg Castle is a fortress situated on the hills of Braubach in Germany, and it is the only medieval castle in the Rhine Valley that has never been damaged. The castle has stood here for over 700 years and, over the centuries, has continually evolved with time to become what we see today.

　　References to Marksburg Castle can be found in documents from the early 12th century, with the first official record dating back to 1231. The construction of the castle served two purposes: the first was to protect Braubach, and the second was to function as a toll-collecting facility. Although the earliest written record of the castle is from 1231, its construction likely began around the year 1117. In 1283, the local count purchased the castle, and throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, continuous renovations were carried out. After the fall of the Holy Roman Empire in 1803, the castle came into the possession of the Duke of Nassau. During this period, it served as housing for disabled soldiers and also functioned as a state prison.

　　In 1900, with the help of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the German Castles Association acquired Marksburg for the symbolic price of 1,000 marks. Subsequently, the Berlin-based architect Professor Bodo Ebhardt volunteered to lead an extensive restoration of the castle. Today, Marksburg Castle serves as the headquarters of the German Castles Association. It is also one of the most striking landmarks on the eastern bank of the Rhine and one of the most important castles in Germany.

　　Marksburg Castle Reason to visit: The only medieval castle in the Rhine Valley that has never been destroyed Continent: Europe Country/Region: Germany State/Province: Rhineland-Palatinate City: Braubach