Today one of the most beautiful hilltop castles in North Rhine-Westphalia: Altena Castle in Sauerland
Tourismus NRW e.V., Today one of the most beautiful hilltop castles in North Rhine-Westphalia: Altena Castle in the Sauerland region

Burg Altena

Altena

Between 1906 and 1915, the castle was extensively renovated and transformed into the imposing castle that captivates visitors today.

World Youth Hostel Museum

Altena Castle owes its international fame to the world's first permanent youth hostel, which was opened here in 1914. It has been preserved in its original state as the World Youth Hostel Museum. Here, visitors can try out original beds to see how hikers slept more than 100 years ago.

Museum of the County of Mark

The main museum at the castle is the Museum of the County of Mark. The exhibition(link to 360° images) shows the development of the region from early geological history through the Middle Ages, the early modern period and the industrial age to the present day. Sumptuous displays allow visitors to take part in the battles, hunts and feasts of the knights and nobles. They learn a lot about the lives of farmers and craftsmen.

Altena Castle adventure elevator

Since spring 2014, the new adventure elevator has provided barrier-free access from the bottom of the Altena valley to the upper castle courtyard. The Altena Castle Adventure Elevator is "The new gateway to the castle": 90 meters into the mountain, 80 meters to the top. Along the way, legends and stories of the region can be experienced up close at seven stations. When the elevator door opens again in the castle courtyard, the journey continues in the castle.

Group tours and museum education

Group tours and educational museum programs are a special offer at the castle. The offer ranges from children's birthday parties to themed tours. Particularly popular with children are the knight's test "From squire to knight", the "treasure hunt" and the program with Söckchen the witch and Fläd the bat. Those who wish can explore the museum on their own. Visitors can also be guided through Altena Castle with the help of a digital museum guide. The multi-media guide is available in German, English and Dutch.

Museum events

There is an extensive program of events at Altena Castle throughout the year. In addition to larger festivals such as Anno Tuck on the first weekend in August, it is also worth coming to smaller events such as the birds of prey show and demonstrations as part of the Zeitsprung. Current information at: www.burg-altena.de In the darker months of the year, the castle shines in a wonderful glow when the outer walls on the Lenne side, towers and inner courtyards are artistically illuminated. The Advent season starts with the Winter Spectacular: the castle in torchlight, Christmas scents and a festive atmosphere create a wonderful atmosphere.

Castle restaurant

The restaurant at Altena Castle offers a wide range of dishes. Knight's dinners are available for groups of 25 or more. Further information at: Altena Castle Restaurant, telephone: 02352 / 548 86 95

Historical park (Weyhe Park)

In 1843, Prussian King Frederick William IV commissioned his garden director Maximilian Friedrich Weyhe to plan a public park for Altena Castle Hill. The hill was embellished with promenade paths, vantage points and accompanying plantings of avenue trees and groups of trees. Weyhe's design is based on the style of the English landscape garden. On the Lenne side, the rugged rocky outcrops in combination with groups of trees and the pathways offer surprising views of the landscape. However, the park became overgrown due to inadequate maintenance. For some years now, extensive measures have been taken to make the park attractive to visitors again. Information boards have been installed and paths and steps have been renovated. A new playground is being built below the restaurant veranda.

Length of stay

You should allow about one and a half to two hours for a visit to the Altena Castle museums. A visit to the Altena Castle museums and the German Wire Museum takes around three to four hours - including a stop at the castle restaurant in between. The combined ticket, which includes a ride on the adventure elevator and a visit to the Altena Castle and German Wire Museum museums, is particularly good value for money.

The Altena Castle museums are an anchor point on the valley route of the European Route of Industrial Heritageand a highlight of WasserEisenLand - Industrial Heritage in South Westphalia.

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Make yourself a culture pack!

Adventure lift to the Middle Ages

A tunnel takes you deep into the Altena castle hill. Legendary figures and captivating stories accompany you on this 90 metre-long journey through time before you take the adventure lift up to the castle.

  • Altena is a small town in the Märkisches Sauerland region, with the 12th century Altena Castle towering high above it.
  • A tunnel takes you deep into the Altena castle hill. Legendary figures and captivating stories accompany you on this 90 metre-long journey through time before you take the adventure lift up to the castle.
  • As you tour the imposing castle complex and visit the permanent exhibition on the history of the county of Mark, the romance of chivalry and the nobility, you will sometimes shudder and sometimes be enraptured.
  • From the castle restaurant you can enjoy a wonderful view over the town of Altena and the neighbouring forests.
  • During an afternoon walk along the three-kilometre-long history and nature trail, you can explore the local flora and fauna, which is explained to you with the help of display boards and models.
  • Excursion tip: If that's not enough insights and views for you, you can visit the nearby wire museum and be amazed by the extremely varied use of wire and learn about the exciting history of the wire industry in the region. A visit to the Weyhepark at the foot of the castle is guaranteed to offer you "instagrammable" views and exciting geocaches.
  • Restaurant tip: Haus Pilling is the oldest restaurant in Altena. It looks back on around 300 years of history with seven generations of innkeepers. Travellers can immerse themselves in the Middle Ages here at regular themed evenings.
  • Overnight tip: Romantik Hotel Neuhaus in Iserlohn, Schloss Hotel Holzrichter in Nachrodt-Wiblingwerde or Altena Youth Hostel for that real castle feeling in the historic rooms.

Important information at a glance

  • Open today
    Tuesday09:30 - 17:00
    Wednesday09:30 - 17:00
    Thursday09:30 - 17:00
    Friday09:30 - 17:00
    Saturday11:00 - 18:00
    Sunday11:00 - 18:00

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