Saturday, February 11, 2017

Marksburg Castle

Marksburg Castle is the only castle along the Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage Site that has never been destroyed, and retains it's medieval appearance, although some restoration work has been carried out.  It was taken over in 1900 by the German Castles Association, and serves as their head office as well as being open to tourists.


The best view of the castle is actually from the river.  It sits high on a hill and there's quite an uphill walk, even after you get off the bus.

But there's a spectacular view both up and down the Rhine once you get there!

We entered through the Rider's Stairway, carved out of solid rock so riders could get up to the stables.

There was a battery overlooking the river, with several cannons, both 6 and 12 pounders, and the corresponding cannon balls ready and waiting.  They could control traffic on the Rhine quite effectively!

Inside there were quite a few rooms set up with original finishings.  We've visited several castles in England and Scotland, but have rarely seen one where the interior looked so authentic.

 The big kitchen was outfitted with a wide range of pots and implements.

There was a large wine cellar, with the wine in barrels, and a giant grape press.

And a blacksmith's shop.

In the former stables there's an exhibit of several torture instruments!


There was quite an interesting armour collection reflecting the various small kingdoms and families who have held the castle over the centuries.

I've always wondered about the cleanliness associated with the garderobes (toilets) in medieval castles.  Though they've widely been replaced by modern plumbing, they used to be built simply as boxes like an outhouse, that stuck out of the exterior wall of the castle.  It provided immediate and simple disposal of wastes!





15 comments:

  1. I knew it! A visit to the castle. Very interesting. That bed doesn't look all that comfy, but it probably was, considering the day. Love that old medieval armor. Notice how trim the waist was back then. :-)

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  2. Such an interesting place. I like that this castle has been preserved for all too see.

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  3. Very informative. Wow like those cannon balls.

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  4. This is all very interesting...loved seeing everything, specially the kitchen. And all those hammers, etc for the blacksmith. Wonder how many hands have used them?

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  5. Authentic but it does not look warm and comfy. More like cold and damp. I wonder how the budget is for maintaining such a historic building.

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  6. Hello, awesome shots of the castle. I love the views! Have a happy Sunday and new week ahead!

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  7. What a fun tour and your excellent photos were wonderful.

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  8. that is NOT a kitchen i could work in but i did enjoy seeing it!! an awesome pictorial of the castle, for a moment i thought that was you in the armor. i am always concerned about restrooms, and their cleanliness!!!

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  9. Watch out below! Can you imagine the stench around the castle?

    Great place to visit and wonderful pictures, FG.

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  10. If you've ever read Lords & Ladies by Terry Pratchett you will know that Shawn Ogg, son of the famous witch Nanny Ogg, (part time palace guard, part time herald, part time armorer in the castle of Lancre) is also part time cleaner of the garderobes. And he doesn't enjoy it at all.

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  11. A magnificent place- well worth the visit!

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  12. I would think that suit of armor could also be an instrument of torture!!

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  13. What a marvelous castle, really like stepping back in time.

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  14. Such an amazing castle, and so well preserved through the ages. I can't imagine the old latrine system.....phew!

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  15. Wonderful! The views from the castle are beautiful but I'm not so sure of the toilets. Yikes!

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