Wartburg Castle

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Wartburg Castle: A Medieval Masterpiece and Cultural Icon

The Wartburg Castle, nestled within the dense forests of Thuringia, Germany, stands as a testament to the rich history and cultural significance of the region. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, the Wartburg Castle offers a unique blend of medieval architecture, historical events, and enduring legends that continue to captivate visitors and scholars alike.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

Wartburg Castle blends superbly into its forest surroundings and is in many ways 'the ideal castle'. Although it has retained some original sections from the feudal period, the form it acquired during the 19th-century reconstitution gives a good idea of what this fortress might have been at the height of its military and seigneurial power. It was during his exile at Wartburg Castle that Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German.

UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site

Criterion (iii): The Castle of Wartburg is an outstanding monument of the feudal period in central Europe.

Criterion (vi): The Castle of Wartburg is rich in cultural associations, most notably its role as the place of exile of Martin Luther, who composed his German translation of the New Testament there. It is also a powerful symbol of German integration and unity.

Encyclopedia Record: Wartburg

The Wartburg is a castle originally built in the Middle Ages. It is situated on a precipice of 410 metres (1,350 ft) to the southwest of and overlooking the town of Eisenach, in the state of Thuringia, Germany. It was the home of St. Elisabeth of Hungary, the place where Martin Luther translated the New Testament of the Bible into German, the site of the Wartburg festival of 1817 and the supposed setting for the possibly legendary Sängerkrieg. It was an important inspiration for Ludwig II when he decided to build Neuschwanstein Castle.

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