Altena Castle, Altena, Germany - SpottingHistory.com

Altena Castle was erected by the brothers Adolf and Everhard von Berg around the year 1108 after Henry V granted them land in Sauerland. On Wulfseck Mountain they built their castle, which they named Wulfeshagen, later Altena. This is one of the three legends of the establishment of the county of Altena and the building of the castle.

After the acquisition of Mark near the city of Hamm in 1198, the counts of Altena took Mark Castle as their primary residence and called themselves the Counts of the Mark. They occasionally inhabited Altena Castle and from 1392 onward it was used as a residence for the county bailiff (Amtmann).

In 1912, Richard Schirrmann established the world's first youth hostel within the castle, which is still in use today (Jugendherberge Burg Altena).

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Limana Solaiman (14 months ago)
The entire castle experience transports you back to the olden days, a must if you are exploring North Rhine-Westphalia.

Anshul Khandelwal (14 months ago)
The ambience of the this city is lovely.. Despite small in size, and also very little hike, it is just amazing half day trip. The castle is beautiful ?. Also free of charge is the entry. It closes at 17:30, so better plan your trip in day time. The restaurant in the castle is nice. Unfortunately, I don't think it's open right now, because when I was there, it wasn't. There is a lovely museum and a small dungeon too. Apart from this, there is a outside perimeter of the castle, and huge tree just behind the castle where you can sit and have a peaceful time with winds.

Piri Ravi (16 months ago)
Great place to visit, not very busy so it allows you to spend a lot of time actually looking at things instead of being pushed around. Might be a little boring to kids, but still worth the visit just for the view.

Sasha Bulovic (16 months ago)
Beautiful castle on the hill. The town is also wonderful.

Konstantinou Apostolos (16 months ago)
Wonderful place! I strongly recommend visiting the restaurant! Breathtaking view,very tasty food and real friendly people! A must see!

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Noémie 59

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The existence of the castle was known early in the 13th century, but the present construction is largely the work of Jean de Nielles, who married Marie d’Olhain at the end of the 15th century.

The marriage of Alix Nielles to Jean de Berghes, Grand Veneur de France (master of hounds) to the King, meant the castle passed to this family, who kept it for more than 450 years. Once confiscated by Charles Quint, it suffered during the wars that ravaged the Artois. Besieged in 1641 by the French, it was partly demolished by the Spaniards in 1654, and finally blown-up and taken by the Dutch in 1710. Restored in 1830, it was abandoned after 1870, and sold by the last Prince of Berghes in 1900. There is also evidence that one of the castles occupants was related to Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan, the person Alexandre Dumas based his Three Musketeers charictor d'Artagnan on.

During the World War I and World War II, the castle was requisitioned first by French troops, then Canadian and British soldiers. The current owner has restored the castle to its former glory.

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