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Thuringia Eisenach by A.Savin from

Top 8 Intriguing Facts about Wartburg

Eisenach, a town in the German state of Thuringia, is home to Wartburg Castle. Thuringia is located in southeastern Germany and has excellent transportation links to major German cities. Eisenach has frequent railway services, including Deutsche Bahn and regional rail lines. 

The castle itself is built on a woodland peak overlooking the town of Eisenach. The bulk of the town may be explored on foot, while the trek up to the castle requires some effort. While many people find the climb enjoyable, some prefer to take a shuttle to the summit. A well-developed bus system is another option for getting around town more quickly.

Here are interesting facts you need to know about the place.

1. Wartburg Castle was originally constructed in 1067

Wartburg Castle by jsamwrites from Wikimedia Commons

Wartburg Castle was built in 1067, but successive expansions over the centuries have given the complex a mix of architectural styles such as Renaissance, Gothic, and Romanesque.

The castle grounds are quite big, including a three-story palace, numerous half-timbered buildings, two courtyards, and an imposing entrance gate. While most of the outside parts are free to see, you must purchase a ticket to explore the castle’s ancient interiors. The Wartburg Castle interiors are quite spectacular, with mediaeval rooms embellished with mosaic tiles and paintings.

2. Wartburg Castle hosts numerous events

Throughout the year, Wartburg Castle presents a variety of events in its lovely mediaeval buildings. Its castle grounds host chamber music concerts, blues and jazz act, and religious services at the Castle Chapel or Festival Hall.

During the holiday season, the castle hosts Christmas music and a mediaeval Christmas market on weekends.

3. The hilltop castle is indeed a very historic place

Max Alvary by Kobbé from

The hilltop castle is a very historic location. The famous Wartburg Song Contest, as depicted in Richard Wagner’s opera Tannhäuser, is said to have taken place at the castle in the early 13th century. Also, Saint Elizabeth lived at the castle and dedicated her life to the needy until she died at the age of 25 in 1228.

4. The Luther Bible was born here

Luther bible by Paul K from

Martin Luther, on the other hand, was the most famous historical figure to visit the castle. He sought shelter at Wartburg Castle after being proclaimed a heretic and sentenced to death by the Holy Roman Emperor in the 16th century.

Luther stayed at the castle for 300 days, during which time he translated the New Testament into German, making the Wartburg Castle the birthplace of both the Luther Bible and the contemporary German language.

4. Thuringian Forest is one of the most densely forested landscapes

Grosser Beerberg by Elop from

Wartburg Castle, perched 410 metres above sea level, commands breathtaking views of Eisenach and the thick Thuringian Forest. Indeed, the Thuringian Forest is one of Germany’s most thickly forested regions.

The Rennsteig track, which dates back to the 9th century, allows you to hike the majority of the nature area. This trail once marked the border between Thuringia and Franconia, and it is still a part of a fairly privileged environment with distinct dialects, customs, and historical traditions. The Thuringian Forest, with its various cultural attractions and traditional festivities, is worth a visit in and of itself.

5. Eisenach is the gateway to the Thuringian Forest 

Eisenach, located below Wartburg Castle, is the entry to the Thuringian Forest and its popular hiking track Rennsteig. Furthermore, this lovely small town includes a well-preserved Old Town as well as several cultural and historical sites, some of which will undoubtedly fit into your Wartburg Castle itinerary.

6. On 18 October 1817, the first Wartburg festival took place

Burschenschaften by Archiv Harald Lönnecker from

Around 500 students, members of the newly formed German Burschenschaften (“fraternities”), gathered at the castle to commemorate the German victory over Napoleon four years earlier, as well as the 300th anniversary of the Reformation, condemn conservatism, and call for German unity under the motto “Honour – Freedom – Fatherland.”  Speakers at the occasion included Lützow Free Corps veteran Heinrich Hermann Riemann, philosophy student Ludwig Rödiger, and Hans Ferdinand Massmann.

7. The largest structure of the Wartburg is the Palas

The Palas have chambers such as the Rittersaal and the Speisesaal that have been rebuilt in the original Romanesque style and preserve ancient structures (pillars or roof elements).

The Elisabeth-Kemenate was fitted with mosaics depicting the life of St. Elisabeth (made in 1902-06) on behalf of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the Sängersaal (with murals of the Sängerkrieg by Moritz von Schwind), and the Festssaal on the top level. The latter also has frescoes by Schwind (on the triumph of Christianity) and was the basis for the Sängerhalle at Neuschwanstein Castle.

8. Wartburg has been a place of pilgrimage for many people

Palas by Roman Eisele from

For centuries, many people from within and outside Germany have visited Wartburg because of its significance in German history and the growth of Christianity.

Several locales (most notably Lutheran towns in the United States) and a local vehicle brand have been named after the Wartburg. Wartburg College in Iowa, United States, is named after Martin Luther, who sought safety at the castle, as well as because of the college’s forest setting and Thuringian background.  Wartburg Theological Seminary, which is likewise located in Iowa, was named after Wartburg Castle. Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s main complex is reminiscent of the Wartburg Fortress.

After Weimar, Wartburg is the most visited tourist destination in Thuringia. It is open to the public, and guided tours provide access to the interiors of the buildings. There is also a museum in the castle.

Donkeys can be ridden up the hill by children. The Festsaal is frequently used to stage Tannhäuser, as well as concerts and other events. There is also a hotel situated next to the castle that was built during the castle’s rebuilding in the nineteenth century.