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BURG RÖTTELN
Castle in Autumn Baden-Wurttemburg

The casual traveler to Europe is unlikely to come across Burg Rötteln unless an avid castle hunter, touring Germany's Black Forest or visiting Basel, Switzerland. This wonderful castle ruin is at the southern end of Germany's Black Forest region, near the town of Lorrach. It is also in reach of a visit to Strasbourg and the Alsace Wine Road (see Chateau Haut-Koenigsburg) or Mulhouse (see Rail and Auto Museums in Alsace). This early 13th Century castle was first documented as a completed fortress in 1259, but it’s first familynamesake Walter von Rotteln was mentioned as participating in the tournament in Magdeburg in 938. It is located in the southwest most corner of Germany in where Germany meets Switzerland and France, 20 kilometers from Basel across the Swiss border, outside the city of Lorrach and one of the largest castle complexes in southern Baden-Wurttemburg (castle architecture see European Castles Institute).

After having spent much of a trip in southern Germany in the fog and overcast of fall, it was in this corner that the sun first shone on on these well preserved ruins in the autumn leaves that inspired a enthusiastic rapid photo taking. This area gets the most sun thoughout the year in Germany. Some of the unique features of the castle is a still intact drawbridge crossing and portico. A “donjon” square tower rises prominently over the landscape, and very clearly defined walls of original construction provides a beautiful example of inner and outer bailey medieval castle architecture. The castle resides on asloping wooded hill where the defensive ports give a clear view of any advancing attackers. And although much of the inner walls have been destroyed the defensive wolks along the high walls have been restrored, providing an almost dizzying vantage point overlooking the whole structure. Though not sufficient to save it from French cannons in the War of Succession (aka The Thirty Years War) in 1678. (see also Wandering Immigrants).

The castle is open all year with a small museum of armor and other artifacts. The city of Lorrach holds an annual theater festival of performances at the castle from June to August. The Burg Rotteln can be reached off the A5 and Route 317 between Basel and Neustadt, where very popular skiing areas are located in winter. © Bargain Travel Europe

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SEE ALSO:

BLACK FOREST HOHENZOLLERN CASTLE

SIGMARINGEN CASTLE

GOLDEN LÖWEN HOTEL BADEN-BADEN

CASTLE RHEINSTEIN

WINE ROAD - BAD DURKHEIM

SWEET TOOTH IN STRASBOURG

PFORZHEIM JEWELRY WORLD

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