Burg Eltz is a fairy tale castle, and because of that I didn't visit it in my past travels. However, as I grow older I've learned to appreciate these type of castles, instead of just always searching out the fortresses. Nevertheless, Eltz has some interesting defensive advantages often overlooked in the days prior to gunpowder.
Eltz is one of the few castles that has remained in the same family for almost a millenium (800 years). Emperor Frederick Barbarossa donated the land and infantile castle, which is represented by some of the ruins around the main structure, to Rudolf zu Eltz in 1157 AD. As Eltz was built it was primarily a fortified residence, rather than a full-fledged castle. However, its location near the Mosel gave it strategic significance, but its hidden location also helped to spare it the ravages of numerous wars. This was especially true during the War of the Palantine Secession, when the Eltz family was connected to the French Army, which kept the French from blowing it up.
The Eltz family over the years shared the castle and continued to build on to it. Moreover, one of the Eltz family members (Jakob von Eltz) became Archbishop of Trier in 1567, and was a champion of the Catholic Counter-Reformation. Other family members would serve in the post later, with the family achieving its greatest influence in the mid-late 1600s. The Archbishop of Trier served as an Elector for the Holy Roman Empire. Initially established at five, and later established as seven, the Electors voted to determine who would be the Holy Roman Emperor. This position allowed the Eltz family to gain real prominence and a measure of real power as well. Through deft diplomacy and perhaps even a margin of skulldudgery, the castle was spared the devastation of war.
One can approach Eltz from two directions. The first is to the north where you park and then walk down to the castle. The other is to the south, where you walk along a hillside trail, and then go down into the valley before walking up to the castle. Both directions provide spectacular views. However, you need to be aware that Eltz is NOT on the Mosel River proper, but is in its own valley, tucked away to the north of the river near the village of Treis-Karden.
Above, top: the view from below. Above, the view from the road looking down on the castle. The small stream on the left flows around the castle in a tight horseshoe shape. The valley in the left photo illustrates the castle's seclusion and defensive advantages in the days before gunpowder. However, its high curtain walls would have been very vulnerable to modern cannon.
