Castle History

Rising above the forested hills of Thuringia, this legendary fortress occupies a place at the crossroads of German history, religion, and culture. Wartburg Castle was founded around 1067 by Ludwig the Springer, establishing a powerful seat for the Ludovingian dynasty. The castle's strategic position allowed control over important trade and communication routes in central Germany. During the Middle Ages, it became a center of courtly culture and Minnesang, or medieval lyric poetry. One of its most famous residents was Martin Luther, who sought refuge here in 1521-1522. While in hiding, Luther translated the New Testament into German, profoundly shaping the German language and the Reformation. The castle also hosted the legendary Sängerkrieg, a contest of poets that later inspired operas and myths. Its Romanesque Palas remains one of the best-preserved secular buildings of its kind in Europe. Over the centuries, the fortress fell into neglect as political power shifted elsewhere. In the 19th century, it was extensively restored as a symbol of German national identity. The Wartburg Festival of 1817, held by students advocating unity and reform, marked it as a site of political idealism. Its architecture today blends authentic medieval elements with Romantic-era reinterpretation. The surrounding forests and hills contribute to the castle's almost mythical presence. Today, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle endures as a place where faith, language, art, and political thought converged to shape the course of European history.