History of Eltz Castle
The name Eltz was mentioned for the first time in 1157. In a deed of donation from Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, a Rudolfus von Eltz, (Rudolfus de Elze), an imperial minister, was listed as a witness. This Rudolf lived on the Elz in a first, still small castle, which secured the path that was a connection between Eifel / Maifeld and Moselle. Burg Eltz has a building history of more than 500 years. It started in the 12th century with the Romanesque castle house Platt - Eltz. The massive fortifications on the west side also date from the early times of the castle (13th and 14th centuries).
Before 1268 the family of Eltz, now free Imperial Knights, divided into three lines. In the line with the golden lion, Eltz Kempenich, the one with the silver lion, Eltz Rübenach and the one with the buffalo horns, Eltz Rodendorf. These three families formed an inheritance and residential community at the castle, the so-called Ganerbengemeinschaft.
Through clever politics and clever diplomacy by the Lords of Eltz, the castle was spared destruction in the great wars of the 17th century and is therefore one of the few castles in Europe that have never been destroyed
Burg Eltz has been in the possession of the same name for 34 generations. The current head of the family is Dr. Karl Graf von und zu Eltz Kempenich.
Source:
eifel.info/a-burg-eltz-1