Wartburg

Eisenach, Germany

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

Phone: +49 3691 2500

From OpenStreetMap — confirm before travelling

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Perched at 410 metres on a southwest-facing precipice above Eisenach in Thuringia, the Wartburg is a Romanesque castle founded in 1067 that embodies over nine centuries of German history. Originally built in the Middle Ages, it retains substantial original structures from the 12th through 15th centuries, though much of its interior was restored or rebuilt during the 19th century. The castle hosted St. Elisabeth of Hungary and served as the refuge where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German—a foundational moment for the Reformation. It was also the site of the Wartburg festival of 1817 and the legendary Sängerkrieg. The castle's quintessential medieval architecture so inspired Ludwig II that it became a model for Neuschwanstein Castle. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 for its architectural and historical significance, the Wartburg remains Thuringia's most visited tourist attraction after Weimar.