Question 1

What is the history of Ehrenburg?

Accepted Answer

Ehrenburg’s history begins in the first half of the 12th century, when it was built as a small Hohenstaufen castle on a rocky spur. The lords of Ehrenberg first appear in 1189. After the male line died out in the late 14th century, it passed through several noble families before French troops occupied it in 1688 and partly blew it up in 1689.

Question 2

What is inside Ehrenburg and what can you see?

Accepted Answer

Inside Ehrenburg are the remains of a rectangular residential tower house, the palas and two levels of vaulted storage rooms and wine cellars. The upper bailey also contains a two-storey chapel, while the bergfried has internal watch rooms, a prison and a staircase to its viewing platform. A former stable contains the Rittersaal.

Question 3

Who owns Ehrenburg now?

Accepted Answer

Ehrenburg is privately owned today. It has been in private ownership since 1991, and volunteers from the Friends of the Ehrenburg have preserved and rebuilt it since 1993 using private funding. It is also designated a cultural monument.

Question 4

Why was Ehrenburg built, and what was it used for?

Accepted Answer

Ehrenburg was built to protect the Moselle crossing between Brodenbach and Hatzenport and the surrounding imperial estate. It became the fortified heart of a small imperial barony, with estates between the Lower Moselle and Middle Rhine. Its early role combined refuge and defence with control of an important crossing.

Question 5

Where is Ehrenburg?

Accepted Answer

Ehrenburg stands near Brodenbach above the Ehrbach valley, a side valley of the Moselle. It is built on a rocky spur at 230 metres above sea level in Rhineland-Palatinate. Brodenbach is the nearest named settlement in the supplied location facts.

Question 6

When was Ehrenburg built?

Accepted Answer

Ehrenburg was built in the 12th century, with construction beginning in its first half. The oldest surviving upper-bailey structures date from this early phase, while later additions included the chapel and bergfried. The bergfried was probably built in the middle of the 14th century, and the rampart tower at the beginning of the 16th century.

Question 7

Was Ehrenburg ever attacked or besieged?

Accepted Answer

Ehrenburg was besieged by the citizens of Koblenz in 1397 after the last Ehrenberg knight destroyed more than 200 houses in their city. A cannon was used during the siege. French troops occupied the castle on 1 November 1688, and parts of it were blown up the following year during the War of the Palatine Succession.

Question 8

Which family or clan held Ehrenburg?

Accepted Answer

Ehrenburg was held by the lords of Ehrenberg until their male line died out in the late 14th century. Cuno of Pyrmont and of Ehrenberg held it from 1426, Philipp Eltz from 1526, the lords of Quadt of Landskron from 1561, and the House of Hoensbroech from 1621.

Question 9

What did Ehrenburg look like in its prime?

Accepted Answer

In its prime, Ehrenburg had a compact spur-castle silhouette dominated by a tall cylindrical bergfried with a corbelled machicolated band and crenellated parapet. Dark grey slate-rubble curtain walls enclosed the upper bailey, which contained slate-roofed buildings and a timber-framed house. A timber bridge and stone gatehouse formed the entrance.

Question 10

Is Ehrenburg still standing, or is it a ruin?

Accepted Answer

Ehrenburg survives as a preserved partial ruin. It was partly blown up in 1689, while the chapel survived and was abandoned only in the following century. Since 1993, volunteers from the Friends of the Ehrenburg have preserved and rebuilt the castle using private funding.

Ehrenburg

What Ehrenburg looked like in its prime.

The story of Ehrenburg.

9 places to explore in 1687.

Recreate Ehrenburg with AI to explore it.

Play Castle Siege at Ehrenburg.

Clans who held Ehrenburg.

Ehrenburg on paper: the measured plan and period views.

Landmarks within reach of Ehrenburg.

Questions about Ehrenburg