European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 4, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse Wartburg ,j5 most German of All German castles the Wartburg Castle is surrounded by legends and has Long been popular with germans. At right visitors prepare for a trip to the Castle. A amps photos by Jim Derheim the Castle s Well preserved courtyard gives a glimpse into the past. I Landgrave Louis was Hunting in the Hor sol Valley in Northwestern Thuringer Forest in 1067 when he noticed a Rock towering Aboe him. A wait there Mountain and i ii turn you into me Castle a a he said according to German legend. And he did but not without some trickery. Sima the Region was owned a the lords of Frankenstein Louis had soil irom his Schauenburg c Astle near Reinhard Brunn carried in baskets at night to the site. Twelve of his Tai Shtul followers swore As was the custom that they were standing on the Landgrave s soil while they stuck swords into the ground so that he could claim ownership of the property. The tips of their swords were left in the Earth and Are said to have kept the Castle from Ever being conquered or destroyed. So begins the history of Wartburg Castle in the town of Eisenach a a history laced with legends. Allegedly a minstrel s song contest in 1 207 turned into a Brawl and Only ended without bloodshed because of the kind services of Klingsohr the wizard. Other legends Are about Elizabeth the Landgrave s wife who helped the poor and sick. Her kindness apparently angered her relatives and they expelled her from the Castle. However in 1235 she was canonized by Pope Gregory in and her ornate room is one of Many that visitors can View at the Castle today. Martin Luther sought Refuge in Wartburg under the name Junker Jorg after he was excommunicated and outlawed by the diet of Worms. It was during this time that he translated the new testament from the greek original in 10 Days and in the process standardized the German National language. He is said to have thrown an in stand against the Wall in the room where he worked to cast out the Devil. Over the decades the Ink blot had to be renewed Many times because visitors took pieces of it As souvenirs. Eventually administrators of the Castle gave up and painted the Wall White. In 1817 students from 11 universities came to the Castle to demand a United democratic Germany. They burned a Pigtail and Cane As symbols of prussian authoritarianism. Today a Monument on the Goel Kuppe Hill a Flag in the banquet Hall and student meetings uphold the memory of the burst Kenschaft s students association rally. Wartburg is one of the most popular castles in Thuringer. As far Back As 1862 a French newspaper reported on the Quot Wartburg fever which seizes people every year Quot and the pleasure of strolling around the grounds. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe came Here on pilgrimages and Adolf Hitler called it Quot the most German of All German it is visited by legions of tourists. But beware it s a Steep 30-minute climb and you May want to take advantage of some of the alternate modes of transport. For a couple of Marks you can choose to ride in various types of vehicles or take a Trail ride on a Donkey. Once you reach the top you will want to take some time to take in the View of the Forest. You can climb to the top of a Tower inside the courtyard and see for Miles. Block out several hours for a trip to the Castle including the inside tour. There is a cafe in the Castle and a restaurant by the parking area below the Castle. And by the Way those Wartburg cars commonly seen in former East Germany Are named for the Castle and Are produced in Germany s third oldest car factory in Eisenach. A Crystal Laureano june 4, 1992 stripes Magazine 7
