Top 20 Castles in Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm

Text according to the information panel: Nature Trail Deluxe – Premium Hiking – German-Luxembourgish Tours Rock Trail 2 – Bollendorf – Beaufort Luxembourg Sandstone Cliffs – Les roches de grès luxembourgeois Rock Trail 2 leads through Bollendorf (Moselle-Eifel) on the German side and through Beaufort (Müllerthal Region – Little Switzerland) on the Luxembourg side. This route is an exceptional hike through the fascinating landscape of Luxembourg sandstone cliffs. On the German side, the Bollendorf rock plateau impresses with its bizarre rock formations, caves, and overhangs. On the Luxembourg side, the trail leads through the romantic forests and gorges of the Müllerthal Region, where mighty rocks, moss-covered boulders, and narrow crevices alternate. The circular route impressively demonstrates how nature and geology have shaped the landscape. Numerous viewpoints and rest areas invite you to linger. Particularly worth seeing are the impressive rock formations near Bollendorf and the Beaufort castle ruins with their medieval charm. The "NaturWanderPark delux" offers a cross-border hiking experience between Germany and Luxembourg. The trails are certified as premium hiking routes and guarantee the highest quality in terms of nature experience, trail design, and signage.

Unfortunately, it was closed during my visit, but it is a very beautiful and imposing fortification in the style of a moated castle.

A very beautiful complex in the style of a moated castle, with the river Nims flowing directly past it.

The unique Malberg Palace complex consists of the so-called New House, the Old House, the arcade building, the brewery, and the chapel. The "Iron Garden" and the "Round Garden" also belong to the palace, which is situated on a mountain spur. Malberg Palace dates back to a castle mentioned as early as 1008. Nothing of the medieval building remains. In 1681, the Veyder family took over the castle and, from 1708 to 1715, had it expanded into a palace in the Venetian Baroque style by Matteo Alberti, an architect from Venice. The impressive buildings feature stucco ceilings and wood paneling, as well as tapestries and antique furniture. A unique feature is a painted wall covering depicting hunting scenes. Civil weddings can be arranged at the palace. The palace is not wheelchair accessible. Dogs are not allowed. Source: https://www.eifel-direkt.de/a-schloss-malberg

Rittersdorf Castle, a charming moated castle dating back to the 13th century, was first documented in 1263. Originally built as a fortified house for the Abbey of St. Maximin in Trier, it served to secure the trade routes between Trier, Bitburg, and Cologne. The imposing 26-meter-high keep, whose construction was approved by King Rudolf of Habsburg in 1290, still dominates the castle's appearance today. In the 16th century, the complex was expanded to include residential buildings with round towers. Today, the castle houses a restaurant, a small museum, and even a registry office, located in the historic Knights' Hall.

The castle's origins lie in the Middle Ages: a round tower with loopholes faces the river side. However, Bollendorf Castle received its current appearance primarily in the Baroque period. Abbot Gregorius Schouppe, whose coat of arms and an inscription with the year 1739 can be seen above the portal of the main building, had the building modified in the 18th century and expanded to include the central building and the south wing. The former living quarters of the servants and the farm buildings are arranged in a semicircle around the courtyard. The castle complex also included the mill below the castle and a garden with a pavilion. In the 1970s, the Freundt family took over the complex, restored it piece by piece and converted it into a hotel-restaurant. Here you can be a guest in a historical ambience and, for example, stay overnight in a room with a Renaissance fireplace from the 17th century or dine in style in the new "Ehemaliger Pferdehof" restaurant. Source: https://www.eifel.info/a-burg-bollendorf

Fine facility that can probably be traced back to a follower of Charlemagne... at least that's what it says... I can't believe it anymore... it was before my time..🥴

https://www.prismahotel-burgbollendorf.de/ Hotel, restaurant, terrace in the inner courtyard