Perched high above the town of Eisenach, the medieval Wartburg Castle is one of these fairytale-like castles in Germany. It is located right in the middle of the country, in the state of Thuringia, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Wartburg Castle is the former home of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and it is famous for being the place where Martin Luther translated the Bible’s New Testament into German.
I have been visiting quite some castles lately, and this one was one of my favourites. Besides being fascinated by its rich history, I also fell in love with its STUNNING interior and amazing details.
So here’s a guide that includes everything you should know if you’re planning on visiting Wartburg Castle. By the end of this post, you will have an idea of what to expect if you decide to visit this beautiful place.
Wartburg Castle in Eisenach: A Little History
Wartburg Castle was built by the Count of Schauenburg in 1067 but it has been restored many times since.
According to the legend, the castle got its name when the count shouted “Warte, Berg, du sollst mir eine Burg tragen!” (meaning “Wait mountain, you shall bear a castle for me” in German) when he looked at the hill where he decided to build a castle. This is a play on the German words for mountain (Berg) and castle (Burg). Wartburg remained the seat of the Thuringian landgraves for the next four centuries.
In the 13th century, the Sängerkrieg or Contest of Minstrels was allegedly held at Wartburg. It’s said that the penalty for losing this singing contest was to be put to death. Many famous minnesingers took part, and Richard Wagner was later inspired by this legendary event when he wrote his opera “Tannhäuser”.
In 1999, Wartburg Castle was the first German castle to become part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and today, it’s a famous tourist attraction.
Wartburg Castle’s famous residents
Several notable people stayed at Wartburg. One of them is Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. She was sent to the castle at the age of four so that she could be raised to become the wife of Ludwig IV of Thuringia. She lived here from 1211 to 1228 and moved to Martburg in Hesse when her husband died.
Another one of this castle’s memorable guests is Martin Luther, whose stay at the castle is definitely what Wartburg Castle is most famous for. I will get into detail about Luther’s stay at the castle later in this article, though.
Visiting Wartburg Castle in Eisenach
When you reach Wartburg Castle, you can enjoy the view of the castle from a small viewing platform. From here, it’s clear to see that the castle has a variety of architectural styles that have been incorporated through the years.
There’s also a small path that takes you along the castle wall. A lot of people tend to skip this part, but the beautiful view of the surrounding forests is worth the short walk.
After enjoying the view (and taking lots of photos), it’s time to cross the bridge and pass the archway to enter the castle. You will reach a beautiful courtyard where you can buy your tickets. Here, an audio guide is available for an additional charge too.
You can visit the tower of the castle for an extra Euro. However, when I visited, the machine to put your money in (I don’t know what it’s called) was broken.
The castle’s most important rooms
The interior of Wartburg Castle is simply stunning! You will see plenty of rooms with amazing stone carvings, beautiful frescos, colourful mosaics and more.
You will find the castle’s most important rooms below.
Elizabeth Chamber (Mosaic Room)
To me, the most impressive room was definitely the Elizabeth Chamber or Mosaic Room. This room is full of beautiful mosaics that portray the life of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary.
This room and its mosaics were created between 1902 and 1906, and I could have spent hours looking at its magnificent details. I have no idea how long I stayed here, but it must have been a while because I’m a huge fan of mosaics.
Hall of Minstrels
Another ravishing and beautifully decorated room is the Hall of Minstrels or “Sängersaal” in German. It’s situated in the Romanesque Palas, which is the oldest part of the castle.
Wartburg Castle’s Hall of Minstrels actually served as the inspiration for the Sängerhalle in the famous Neuschwanstein Castle.
The Hall of Minstrels is where the Contest of Minstrels was allegedly held in the 13th century. It’s believed that many famous minnesingers took part in this contest and that the penalty for losing was to be put to death.
There’s a huge fresco here picturing this event. Although there’s no proof that the Contest of Minstrels ever happened, the room’s medieval vibe makes it easy to imagine it did.
Festive Hall
On the top floor of the Romanesque Palace, you will find the Festive Hall or Festsaal in German.
This room has been restored over the centuries. It’s still a popular venue for concerts and other events today, and Wagner’s Tannhäuser is often performed here.
Luther’s Room
One of the last rooms you will visit is Luther’s Room or Lutherstube in German. Except for a footstool made from a whale vertebra, all of the furniture in this room has been recreated.
This is the castle’s most famous room. Martin Luther stayed and worked here when he translated the Bible’s Last Testament from Ancient Greek to German.
The translation only took Luther 11 weeks, but Luther stayed at Wartburg for almost a year. He was taken here for his own safety in 1521, after being excommunicated by Rome following the Diet of Worms. This was a meeting of the Holy Roman Empire that was held to determine how the authorities should respond to Luther’s teachings.
Luther’s stay at Warburg wasn’t a very pleasant one. He reported that he was often pestered by Satan and evil spirits at the time. At one point, Luther said he was awakened by the devil at night. He then allegedly defended himself by throwing his inkpot at him. There used to be an ink stain on the wall of Luther’s room, but it’s no longer visible.
Wartburg Castle Museum
At the end of the tour, there’s a museum with a huge collection of paintings, furniture, armour, musical instruments and more.
Although it is nice, I enjoyed visiting the castle itself more.
How to Get to Wartburg Castle from Eisenach
There are multiple to get to Wartburg Castle from Eisenach. Whether you’re driving in Germany with your own car, renting a car or depending on public transport, these are the options:
- Bus: There is a direct bus from the main train station of Eisenach to Wartburg Castle.
- Walking and cycling: As Wartburg is situated amid the Thuringia Forest, there are some beautiful walking trails leading to the castle. Wartburg is located on the Luther Trail and the Hercules-Wartburg cycling route.
- Car: If you’re visiting Wartburg Castle by car, it’s good to know that there’s a paid parking lot near the castle. It’s still a 500-m (0,3-mi) walk up to the castle from here. There’s also a shuttle service (€2,50) that starts from the parking and goes all the way to the castle.
If you want to rent a car in Germany, I recommend using Discover Cars. This company compares car rental companies so that you can get the best price.
Wartburg Castle Entry Price
It costs €12 to visit Wartburg Castle and the castle is free to visit for children younger than 6 years old. Children and pupils up to 18 years old will pay €5.
If you’re visiting this castle as a family, you have the following options:
- Family (2 adults + max. 5 children): €29
- Mini family (1 adult + max. 5 children or 2 adults + 1 child): €20
It’s good to know that the disabled, socially disabled and students will also get a discount.
Note that you will have to pay extra to take pictures (€2) and to visit the South Tower (€1).
Wartburg Castle FAQs
Where is Wartburg Castle?
Wartburg Castle is located in the German state of Thüringen, 2 km (1.2 mi) from the town of Eisenach and 400 m (1,312) higher. The castle is 200 km from both Leipzig and Frankfurt am Main.
Why is Wartburg Castle famous?
The Wartburg Castle is most famous because this is the place where Martin Luther was staying when he translated the New Testament of the Bible into German in the 16th century.
How long did Martin Luther stay at Wartburg Castle?
Martin Luther stayed at Wartburg Castle for about 10 months, he stayed here from May 1521 to March 1522. He was taken to the castle for his own safety as he was excommunicated by Rome after the Diet of Worms.
Where to Stay in Eisenach
There are plenty of places to stay in Eisenach, both in the village itself as well as close to Wartburg Castle. It all depends on your personal taste and budget, but you will find my top recommendations below.
- Boutique-Hotel Villa Anna (⭐ 9.0/10): This boutique hotel offers spacious, beautifully decorated rooms. Villa Anna is a short walk from the centre of Eisenach and a 1-hour walk to Wartburg Castle.
- Gasthof-Gästehaus am Storchenturm (⭐ 8.2/10): With its central location, beautiful rooms and closeby restaurants, Gasthof-Gästehaus am Storchenturm is a nice and affordable place to stay in Eisenach.
- Romantik Hotel auf der Wartburg (⭐ 8.7/10): If you would like to stay close to Wartburg Castle, Romantic Hotel auf der Wartburg is the place for you. This hotel is located right beside the walls of the castle and it offers incredibly elegant rooms.
Top Tips for Visiting Wartburg Castle in Eisenach
- You can go up to the castle and enter its courtyard for free, but I highly recommend taking a guided or audio tour to visit the interior too.
- Make sure to check out the Wartburg Castle website for the latest ticket prices, etc.
- There’s a restaurant/bar right next to the castle’s entrance but I would recommend bringing water and snacks as it is rather expensive.
- If you’re interested in learning more about Luther, you can check out the Luther Country website to discover more places connected to him.
Wartburg Castle in Eisenach: Final Thoughts
Wartburg is a castle I really enjoyed visiting. It boasts some impressive sights and its stunning Elizabeth Chamber (Mosaic Room) is one of the most beautiful chambers I have ever seen!
On top of that, the surroundings of Wartburg Castle are beautiful too and there are some nice hikes in the neighbourhood.
If you’re a history buff, an architecture enthusiast or simply like visiting castles, this is a place you will love!
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2 comments
Thank you for sharing! I was here September 2019 and so thoroughly enjoyed it on our Lutheran voyage. Thank you for helping me “go back there” now! Love from a fellow conscientious solo lady traveler!
Hi Rebecca, I really enjoyed visiting the castle too! Thank you for the lovely message 🙏 It’s always nice to hear from fellow conscientious solo female travellers 😉