The Manderscheid Burgen, the Oberburg (left) and Niederburg, are some of the most awesome ruins to visit. This is a two-for-one special, with Oberburg (Upper Castle) having been built first, followed by the more complex and extensive Niederburg (Lower Castle). Though in ruins they make for an excellent visit and can certainly bring out the child in you!
Below, a photo showing the gate complex to the lower castle. The orange cylinder by the road is a concrete mixer being used to do some restoration work on the castle.
Photos taken in 2008.
The Lords of Manderscheid were a potent force in the Eifel region in the period leading up to the Renaissance. These two castles represent the conflict between the principalities of Trier and Luxembourg. The upper castle was mentioned as early as 973 as a donated property to the Archbishop of Trier from Otto II of the Holy Roman Empire. This makes the upper castle one of the oldest in the Eifel region. The gift was part of a series of donations made by the monarch when he was crowned in 973.
Below left, the view of the outer ward as you pass the main gate. However, to speak of wards or baileys regarding the lower castle is somewhat erroneous, as the castle has multiple levels.
Below right, one of the stairways leading into the castle. The steps are authentic and carved into the living rock.
The lower castle dates back to at least 1201 and was built by the Manderscheid family, closely associated with the principality of Luxembourg. As such, the two castles maintained a jealous watch on their own prerogatives regarding trade and taxes. In the 1300s, Wilhelm the fifth Lord of Manderscheid engaged in an expansion of the works and improving its defenses, though he kept the height of the curtain wall to about 10 meters as determined in a treaty with Trier. Nevertheless, in 1346 Trier allied with the Archbishop of Koln and the Margrave of Julich to besiege the lower castle. The siege lasted two and a half years but failed to take the castle. Ulrich of Manderscheid repaid the favor by beseiging Trier in 1430, though not taking the city. As a consequence of these incidents, further expansion of the lower castle occurred in the 1400s. During the Thirty Years War, the Manderscheid family sided with the Protestants. As a consequence, Spanish troops conqured the lower castle in 1618 and did considerable damage to the structure. Some restoration work was done after the war, even as the upper castle succumbed to a French imperial assault in 1673. However, the lower castle was ultimately destroyed by French Revolutionary troops in 1794.
Above, a close up of some of the steps, showing the smoothing that weathering and thousands of feet have wrought to these.
Below, the passageway to the outer tower that guarded the alternate gate which was positioned opposite the main gate. The wooden platform is relatively new.
Above, a view of one of the spiral stairways. The restoration paste is clearly visible, but the basic materials are authentic. It does appear that some reconstruction was done to the steps as there is little wear visible.
Left, this photo was taken looking to the main entrance of the palas. The main keep is in the background.
Below, a view of the tower that guarded the alternate gate.
Above, a view of the winding steps leading from the main gate and outer ward up to the main castle area.
Right, the entrance area to the cellar of the palas.
