Saarburg appears more impressive from afar than it actually is, but it is still worth a trip. Access is via a parking area on the back side of the castle and an easy walk up a paved road. In many ways the castle represents the norm of the typical medieval fortress, a castle resting on a hill beside a mercantile town that relies on the structure and its small garrison for defense. The castle is situated along the Saar River at a town by the same name as the castle.
These photos were taken in 2008.
Saarburg was started in 964 by Graf Siegfried von Luxembourg as an outpost to control the trade traffic on the Saar River. Due to the connection to the Luxembourg family the castle became the possession of the Elector of Trier and in the 1100s was expanded and enhanced as a residence. In 1431, the castle was besieged by the Knights of Manderscheid. When the castle fell it was plundered and destroyed. The castle ruins was purchased by the von Baden family and restoration began. In 1522, a war between Trier and the von Sickingen family led to the castle being once more besieged, but this time it was successfully defended. However, 30 years later the castle and town were taken and burned. After some reconstruction the castle and town again fell, this time to French and Spanish troops during the late 1600s and early 1700s, and the French occupied the structure into the late 1700s. The ruins were at last purchased by the town of Saarburg in 1860 for the sum of 325 Talers.
Right, nice views of the castle from the bridge that spans the river.
Left, a closeup of the watch tower of the castle, with perspective provided by the tourists along the battlement.
Left, the cobblestone road leading to the outer ward of the castle.
Below, a piece of the wall protecting the outer ward. This section has had significant restoration work to maintain the arched windown as seen by the insertion of iron rails (below).
Above, the back side of the wall to the main palas.
Left, a view towards the palas and the watch tower.
Right, the entrance way into the palas. The stairs are reconstructions although it appears that the entrance itself, baring the usual restoration, is authentic.
Below, a view within the entrance area showing the decay of the structure and attempts to shore it up with cement paste.
