Altena Castle is considered one of the most beautiful hilltop castles in Germany. Built in the 12th century, it towers high above the wire-drawing town in the Sauerland region of the Mark Brandenburg. It became internationally famous thanks to the first permanent youth hostel, which Richard Schirrmann established here in 1914 and which can still be visited today in its original state as the World Youth Hostel Museum.
The journey through time starts in the middle of Altena's pedestrian zone. Through a 90-metre-long tunnel, the "New Gate" to the castle, visitors reach the adventure elevator that takes them up the mountain. They are accompanied by South Westphalian legends and figures from the history of the Sauerland region. Alberich the dwarf, Wieland the blacksmith and Burghard the cheeky bat appear out of nowhere.
Once at the top, visitors are greeted by the romance of chivalry and fortitude. In the main museum of the fortifications, which were built from the 12th century onwards, the Museum of the County of Mark, the arc of interest ranges from early geological history through the Middle Ages, the early modern period and the industrial age to the present day. Thanks to elaborate staging, visitors themselves become part of lavish feasts and battles before descending past the cistern into the basement of the chapel building. They climb a steep staircase into the former dungeon, where objects such as thumbscrews, judges' swords and other instruments of torture bear witness to the gruesome past. You can try out the best protection against this on site: the knights' play corner with helmets and chain mail is one of the most popular areas of the exhibition.
Reconstruction in 1909
The history of the castle is complex. After the castle had lost its former defensive function, it visibly fell into disrepair. In 1909, district administrator Fritz Thomée and architect Georg Frentzen planned a new building. Museums, restaurants and an observation tower were to be built. Progressive art historians, monument conservators and architects, on the other hand, wanted to preserve the well-preserved "ruin" in the spirit of modern monument conservation. Before it could come to a pistol duel between the two parties, the Emperor himself put his foot down, as Altena Castle was considered the ancestral seat of the Prussian Hohenzollern dynasty. The emperor ruled in favor of the district administrator and the castle was built over as a medieval castle was imagined at the time.
Trying out the oldest youth hostel
The time of executioners and witch hunts was long gone when Richard Schirrmann set up the first permanent youth hostel in the abandoned castle in 1914. Instead of knights and baronesses, girls and boys now populated the large common room in the style of a Westphalian farmhouse kitchen. The small farmhouse parlor and the dormitories have also been preserved in their original state and can be visited on a tour of Altena Castle. And if you like, you can try out a straw mattress.
By the way: Visiting just this one castle would be far too much of a shame. NRW is the state with the most castles and palaces in Germany. To make it easier for you to choose, we have found a perfect counterpart to Altena Castle: the moated castle Haus Rhade. Find out more about the duo here.
