Question 1

What is the history of Metternich Castle?

Accepted Answer

Metternich Castle was first mentioned in the 13th century, in 1268, and was probably built around the middle of that century. It belonged to the Counts of Nassau-Dillenburg until the first half of the 17th century, then passed to the House of Metternich in 1637. French troops destroyed it in 1689, and it was not rebuilt.

Question 2

What is inside Metternich Castle / what can you see in it?

Accepted Answer

Inside Metternich Castle are the ruins of several residential buildings and a 25-metre-high pentagonal keep. The keep can be climbed as a viewing tower. The extensive ruins also contain a restaurant with a beer garden, while the surviving buildings indicate that several families once occupied the castle at the same time.

Question 3

Where is Metternich Castle?

Accepted Answer

Metternich Castle is above the river Moselle in the municipality of Beilstein, in Rhineland-Palatinate. It stands on a roughly 60-metre-high, steep-sided spur above the village, at about 150 metres above sea level. Cochem is 7 kilometres north-west and Zell is 10 kilometres south.

Question 4

When was Metternich Castle built?

Accepted Answer

Metternich Castle belongs to the 13th century in the surviving evidence: it was first mentioned in 1268, and newer research places its construction around the middle of that century. An older account gives 1129 as a possible construction date, so the exact year is not settled in the supplied material.

Question 5

Was Metternich Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Accepted Answer

Metternich Castle was destroyed by French troops in 1689 during the Nine Years' War, also called the War of the Palatine Succession. It fell as a result of that assault and was not rebuilt. The castle had otherwise survived the Thirty Years' War largely undamaged despite occupation by Swedish and Spanish troops.

Question 6

Which family or clan held Metternich Castle?

Accepted Answer

Metternich Castle was held by the Counts of Nassau-Dillenburg until the first half of the 17th century. The House of Metternich acquired it in 1637, and Klemens von Metternich was the last member of that family to own it.

Question 7

What did Metternich Castle look like in its prime?

Accepted Answer

In its prime around 1600, Metternich Castle formed a compact stone enclosure above the Moselle. Continuous curtain walls enclosed multi-storey masonry living ranges with pitched tile roofs and defensive rooflines, while towers and crenellated wall tops broke up the silhouette. From the river, it appeared as clustered stone volumes and rooflines against the hillside and village.

Question 8

Is Metternich Castle still standing / is it a ruin?

Accepted Answer

Metternich Castle survives as a ruin. French troops destroyed it in 1689, and it was not rebuilt. The remaining complex includes ruins of residential buildings, several defensive approaches and a 25-metre-high pentagonal keep, which can still be climbed as a viewing tower.

Question 9

Can you visit Metternich Castle?

Accepted Answer

Metternich Castle can be visited by the public. The ruin is described as accessible daily from April to early November, and its keep can be climbed as a viewing tower. The complex also contains a restaurant with a beer garden.

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