Eltz – One castle, three lords

A fairy-tale in stone, enchanting and puzzling. That’s what travel writer Katharine Macqouid called it in 1895. Eltz Castle made a lasting impression on her with its maze of towers and spires. 

Experience the magic of this castle for yourself. For a start, it will impress you with its stunning location:  Eltz Castle sits on a rock in the midst of a vally deep in the woods. With residential towers up to 35 meters high. But only parts of the castle are from the Middle Ages. You can spot 500 years of architectural history tightly packed into its inner courtyard. Inside you may immerse yourself in medieval life. Living rooms, the knight’s hall, armoury and treasure chambers are all open to the public.

The three Lords

No one knows exactly when the construction of the castle began. But the name of a family called “Eltz” is first mentioned in 1157. In a document by the emperor Frederick I. Barbarossa. Numerous castles were built during the reign of the Hohenstaufen dynasty right up to the 13th century. The emperor Frederick I. Barbarossa built “Kaiserpfalzen”, castles that were more like a palace, in Gelnhausen or Kaiserslautern. Other castles, like the Hardenburg or the Marksburg were built by noble families. All lords of a castle controlled a clearly defined region of the land. The same goes for the lords of Eltz Castle.

With one exception. It was not just one lord. Three families presided over Eltz Castle. In 1268 the brothers Elias, William and Theoderich agreed to share land and this castle in a “Ganerbschaft”. It meant everything became a joint family estate, were the co-heirs have rights in common. Eltz Castle’s location was favourable. Because the road through the valley connected the important trade route between the Mosel and the Eifel region.