What Does a Real Medieval Castle Look Like?

Wartburg Castle from the west side

Many people get a picture of grey stone walls, round rook towers, a draw-bridge and moat in their mind’s eye. Closer to the truth is that most medieval castles are a hodge-podge of different architectural styles and periods, accumulated from each generation adding their own designs onto the castle. Real medieval castles are often a recording of time and technology, revealing the changes and advances in the military castle strategy, which evolved from primitive round towers with simple walls into complex keeps with several lines of defense.

The Wartburg Castle, known as the “most German of all castles”, is a typical example of the evolution of the medieval castle. Founded in the High Middle Age, it has survived more than a millennium and reflects all the architectural styles of the centuries of generations who called in home. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Culture Sight this true medieval castle waiting to be discovered by you.

But Days of Yore Travel doesn’t just want to show you this castle. We want to help you re-live the medieval experience. Come with us and re-live the original Sängerkrieg, the minstrel duel between the legendary medieval poets Walther von der Vogelweide and Wolfram von Eschenbach – two courtly minstrels who brought chivalry and courtly manners into castles, preserved through Wagner’s Opera Tannhäuser. If you would like to relive the 13th century duel of who the better courtly minstrel was, please write to us about travelling back into the Days of Yore.

Posted in: castles, experiential travel, Germany, medieval, minstrels, museums, opera, Tannhäuser, Thuringia, travel, UNESCO, Wagner