Can both castles be visited in one day?

Yes, the Oberburg and Niederburg lie close to each other in the Lieser valley, separated only by the river.

Who owns the Niederburg?

Since 1 January 2018 it has belonged to the town of Manderscheid, which leases its operation to a local association.

What remains of the Oberburg today?

An almost triangular enceinte and a five-story keep, restored in 1921 and freely open to visitors.

Can weddings be held at the Niederburg?

Yes, the ruin can be booked for private events, including wedding ceremonies.

Why is the Niederburg a ruin?

It was not destroyed in a siege but abandoned after its last countess fled in 1794, and was later sold at auction by French authorities.

Castles of Manderscheid

Manderscheid

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Manderscheid

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

Manderscheider Burgen stands in Manderscheid (Landkreis Bernkastel-Wittlich), in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The building is a listed Baudenkmal. No visits are on record for this building.

Near Manderscheid, in Rhineland-Palatinate, two ruined medieval strongholds stand opposite one another across the Lieser valley. On a hilltop flattened to make room for it, the Oberburg still boasts a five-story keep that has been restored, allowing visitors to climb up and look out over both the valley and its neighbouring castle. Not far away, perched on a rock encircled by the river, the Niederburg once served as the ancestral seat of the lords of Manderscheid. Seen together, the pair reflects the old medieval contest for power pitting Trier's electorate against Luxembourg's duchy.

Written from Castles of Manderscheid

What to know

The two ruins are visited separately, linked by a path through the valley.
The Oberburg is freely accessible, with no known opening hours or entry fee.
The Niederburg can reportedly be visited in summer, daily except Tuesdays, with group tours available on request.
Climbing the Oberburg's keep requires a reasonable level of fitness, as it involves several flights of stairs.
A medieval festival takes place every year on the last weekend of August near the Niederburg, drawing around 15,000 visitors.

Where this château is

Manderscheid · Landkreis Bernkastel-Wittlich · Rheinland-Pfalz

Map of the area around Manderscheider Burgen

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Manderscheid, Landkreis Bernkastel-Wittlich

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Kulturdenkmal in Rheinland-Pfalz

In pictures

Frequently asked

Can both castles be visited in one day?: Yes, the Oberburg and Niederburg lie close to each other in the Lieser valley, separated only by the river.
Who owns the Niederburg?: Since 1 January 2018 it has belonged to the town of Manderscheid, which leases its operation to a local association.
What remains of the Oberburg today?: An almost triangular enceinte and a five-story keep, restored in 1921 and freely open to visitors.
Can weddings be held at the Niederburg?: Yes, the ruin can be booked for private events, including wedding ceremonies.
Why is the Niederburg a ruin?: It was not destroyed in a siege but abandoned after its last countess fled in 1794, and was later sold at auction by French authorities.