Altena Castle & Rhade HouseFrom the Dormitory to Idyllic Peace

The Middle Ages and mining history, the romance of chivalry and school trips: the long history of iron production in the Sauerland combines Altena Castle and Rhade House in Kierspe. But while one of the most beautiful hilltop castles in Germany is usually a hive of activity today, guests can enjoy almost "heavenly peace" just 25 kilometres further south. After all, the rustic-looking dormitory of the first permanent youth hostel at Altena Castle is now just a well-visited museum site, while the other is a small, idyllically situated family hotel.

The "Medieval Mission" starts in Altena's pedestrianised zone. An adventure tunnel with exciting stories and small special effects takes visitors from here to an "adventure lift", which transports them 80 metres up into the past in no time at all. Once in the castle courtyard, a tour leads through the exhibition in the medieval complex, which has all sorts of surprises in store about the history of the castle built in the 12th century and the region. The first permanent youth hostel, which was established in 1914 high above the former wire-drawing town, has also been preserved in its original state.

The moated castle Rahde, which was founded around 1003, is still privately owned today. It was purchased by the Düsseldorf factory owner Johann Gottlieb Schwietzke in 1916 and his family still lives there today. It is therefore not possible to visit the main building, but it is possible to visit the other rooms for overnight stays, private events, celebrations or seminars. However, evidence of mining history can be found around the historic estate. Amongst other things, the remains of a blast furnace were excavated near the estate, which was probably operated between 1250 and 1450 and is considered the forerunner of the modern blast furnace.

Knight and damsel today, explorer and discoverer tomorrow. Or vice versa. On a family holiday in the Märkisches Sauerland, the Middle Ages and modern times merge seamlessly. Because exactly halfway between Altena and Kierspe lies the town of Lüdenscheid. At the Phänomenta adventure museum there, which invites all ages to tinker and discover, natural sciences such as maths and physics are the exact opposite of boring.