As you can see from the photos, the Castle is truly spectacular and has been largely rebuilt and restored. As one sits on the the rampart the incredible solidity and permanence of the place is palpable.
Wartburg Castle
As you enter the the Castle and enter the courtyard you pass through a huge gate made of stones several feet deep. The view from the courtyard sweeps across the countryside. From here, any enemy approaching the town from any direction would be easily spotted.
The Castle Courtyard
The tour begins in a room filled with some of the original capitals for the top of some of the oldest columns in the Castle. This original capital dates from the original construction in 1067
Original Capital from 1067
Our next stop was the Knights Room. If I remember the guide's info, only about 12 knights used this room at any given time. Some knoghts might sleep here, or simply pass the time away waiting for the next dragon to slay
Knights Hall
Adjacent to the Knights hall is the dining hall. This simple, but attractive room features a wood beam ceiling as opposed to the vaulted ceiling in the next room.
Dining Hall
An outdoor hallway leads to our next stop. An interesting feature of the this columns is that they are not marble or granite, but a tube of mineral deposits left in the water systems of ancient Rome. It polishes like marble.
One of the great stories in the Castle is St. Elizabeth. Betrothed to King Ludwig IV at the age of 4, she was brought to the Castle at a very young age. She missed her home in Hungary, but her rather ugly husband tried to placate her. Her chambers were very ornate and painted with beautiful paintings (none of which survive) Over time she turned her attentions to helping those in need, feeding the hungry, and caring for those in need. As the legend goes, one day she was carrying bread to the poor, her husband, who did not care for such folly confronted her. She assured him that she was simply collecting flowers. He demanded to know what she was clutching at her breast. As she unfolded her arms, the were only roses to be seen. Ludwig and Elizabeth had three children. When Ludwig did in the crusades, Elizabeth dedicated herself to the order of St. Francis.
Elizabeth's Chamber
Elizabeth's Chamber was redone in mosaics depicting her life some time in the 19th Century. It is very colorful and quite overwhelming.
The Chapel
The Minstrel's Hall
A huge painting on one wall depicts a colorful scene of the minstrels contests common in earlier eras. Minstrels would compete against each other in music and comedy to gain the favor of the judges.
The Minstrel Hall has an amazing view!
The Great Hall
The original hall on the second floor was too much too small to accommodate the larger parties later monarchs came to enjoy. A whole new floor was added to make sure every one could be gathered for the great times. The room in now regularly used for concerts and other formal affairs.
The last room we visited was the room in the area of the castle where Luther worked on his translation of the New Testament into German. The information outside the door noted that nothing of the room is original to Luther's time except perhaps the whale vertebrae on the floor.
We then headed off to the Luther House where Luther stayed while a young student in Eisenach. It should be called the Cotta House. Luther lived here as a young student and was fortunate to be taken in by Mrs. Cotta who invited him to stay with them as a lodger in exchange for lessons for her children. He was happy and fulfilled in this house. The current exterior structure dates to the 16th and 17th Century but encloses the original exterior.
Anna in front of the Luther House
Our final stop in Eisenach was the Bach museum. Alas, no pictures are allowed inside the museum, but is a wonderful stop to make. A gifted musician played period instruments that might never of had a chance to hear any other way. There are many instruments and samples of original music in the museum.
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