Falkenstein Castle

Falkenstein Castle is the perfect place to go to experience the Middle Ages. A mighty stronghold surrounded by dense forests, it overlooks the entire Selke Valley, as any true castle should, from its perch on a hill. Entering it, there is an immediate sense of its impregnability: it is very easy to imagine attackers being deterred by the solid shield wall, the towering keep or one of the seven gates.

Falkenstein Castle goes all the way back to the 12th century and the Free Knights of Konradsburg. History was written there in the 13th century: it is said that this is where Eike von Repgow wrote his “Sachsenspiegel”, probably the most important book of German law. One thing which is certain is that the book was commissioned by Count Hoyer von Falkenstein. From 1437 until the Thirty Years' War, the complex was constantly rebuilt and expanded under new rule, this time from the House of Asseburg.

It is very fortunate that the original furnishings from this period have been preserved, for example, in the kitchen and are fully accessible, enabling visitors to be fully immersed in everyday life at that time. Make sure to see the fantastic view from the 31-metre-high keep, a demonstration of how to handle birds of prey in the falconry or a knightly meal in the “Krummes Tor” castle inn! Once a year, there is also an international “Minneturnier”, i.e. a singers’ tournament following the mediaeval tradition.