Saarburg Castle Ruins

The castle, which was probably built in the 10th century, was first mentioned in a document in 964. In that year, the Archdiocese of Trier gave it to Count Siegfried of Luxembourg as a fief. After the death of Siegfried's son Adelbero in 1046, the castle reverted to the Archbishopric of Trier.The Lords of Reuland seem to have acquired rights to the castle through the Counts of Luxembourg. Because of these rights, the castle was occupied by Arnold von Reuland in 1300. He only released the castle again after Archbishop Balduin von Trier bought his rights from him in 1313. Since at the same time John of Luxembourg, also known as John of Bohemia or the blind, renounced all rights of the Counts of Luxembourg to the castle, Electoral Trier was the sole owner of the castle from that time. The archbishops of Trier had the castle constantly expanded in the years that followed.In 1431 Ulrich von Manderscheid attacked the castle and destroyed it. Johann II von Baden rebuilt the castle and had himself consecrated Archbishop of Trier in the castle chapel in 1464.In 1522 the castle was successfully defended against the troops of Franz von Sickingen, but was again destroyed 30 years later by Margrave Albrecht Alcibiades von Brandenburg-Kulmbach. The reconstruction took place at the end of the 16th century.During Louis XIV's wars of conquest, the castle was occupied several times by the French and Spanish. In the War of the Spanish Succession, the castle was conquered again by the French in 1702 and only liberated in 1704 by the Prussian Legion "Schwerin". Barely inhabited since 1734, the complex began to deteriorate.

The remains of one of the oldest and most beautiful hilltop castles in the west are enthroned high above the Saar and are a picturesque landmark and give the city of Saarburg its name. In 964, Count Siegfried of Luxembourg acquired the Schlossberg from the Trier Cathedral and built a proud and mighty castle complex. The castle ring was 137 m long and up to 50 m wide. Burgmannenhäuser and an office building on the site of today's vicarage and the Evangelical Church also belonged to the castle. From the early 12th century, the castle was owned by the Archbishops of Trier, who over the centuries expanded it into one of the most important fortifications in their area. After an eventful history and several destructions and reconstructions, the castle lost its importance from the 18th century and fell into ruins. In 1860 the city of Saarburg acquired the ruins and in 1896 set up the viewing platform in the upper part of the mantle tower. The ascent of over 100 steps over the narrow spiral staircase is rewarded with a wonderful panoramic view of the Saar Valley. In the evening hours, the castle lighting creates an atmospheric backdrop high above the city. Since 2010, the city of Saarburg has carried out several upgrades to the castle. The 11 goats that work as “landscapers” on the Saar-side Burgberg and keep the vegetation low have become a real attraction. The castle complex is freely accessible.
Source:
saar-obermosel.de/kultur-freizeit/virtuelle-erlebnisse/is/Burganlage-Saarburg_Saarburg

The longer but more comfortable ascent leads over the access road to the castle. A little more strenuous, but because of the many views of the city and the river, the climb up the stairs that begin at the roundabout below the castle ruins is much nicer.