While Mom and Dad were here we saw many castles and toured two of them. The first castle we toured was Burg Eltz. This medieval castle is over 850 years old and is nestled in the hills above the Moselle River. Burg Eltz is still owned by a branch of the same family who lived in the castle in the 12^th century (33 generations ago). This large complex is actually made up of three castles owned by three different families. We were able to tour two of the three castles. Burg Eltz is situated on a 70-meter rock spur and near an important Roman trade route. The oldest part of the castle was built in 1472. Between 1490 and 1540 the second home was constructed. The third house was finished in 1530. Uniquely, every room in the newest part of the castle could be heated.

At The Entrance to Burg Eltz

Burg Eltz

Center Courtyard of Burg Eltz. The Three Castles Can Be Seen Here.

Mom And Dad Exploring Burg Eltz

Exploring The Castle Grounds

The second castle we visited was Marksburg. Thanks to its formidable defenses this castle is the best-preserved castle on the Rhine. The castle has been lived in for over 700 years and represents an ever changing and developing building complex that has been growing into its present shape for centuries. Construction of the keep began in the 12^th century. The fortress was used for protection rather than as a residence for royal families. Marksburg was built to protect the town of Braubach. On our tour we saw a cannon from 1500, a gothic garden containing 160 plants from the middle Ages, and the bedroom (which was the only heated room in the castle). The castle’s chapel is still painted in Gothic style with the castle’s namesake, St. Mark, and his lion.

Marksburg Castle

Inside One of the Rooms of Marksburg

Marksburg Castle

Paint on The Ceiling of The Chapel

Following our visit to Marksburg we decided to drive along the Rhine River and enjoy the castles around every turn. The upper half of the Middle Rhine has more than 40 castles and fortresses from the Middle Ages along its banks. Since it was cold and raining we mostly drove and admired the many castles. We stopped at Rüdesheim to get better views of the two castles, the nearly 2,000-year-old vineyards, and to explore a fun park we found along the way.