Top 10 Castles around Wallersheim

Lissingen Castle near Gerolstein is a fascinating Komoot highlight for cyclists and culture enthusiasts in the Volcanic Eifel region. Perched high above the Kyll River, the upper and lower castles tell a vibrant history, ranging from Roman origins and a medieval moated castle to today's successful restoration and use. Originally founded as a Roman settlement around the 2nd century, the first castle was built between the 10th and 13th centuries. It was first documented in 1212, as the property of the knightly family of Liezingen. The castle was more than just a fortified structure: moats fed by the Kyll and Oosbach rivers made it a true moated castle. In 1559, the property was divided into the lower and upper castles – a situation that continues to this day. In the 17th century, the Lower Castle received its current Baroque-Renaissance manor house and characteristic tithe barn. During the Napoleonic era, the right of lordship was lost, but later both parts of the castle were reunited. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the complex served as an agricultural and dairy center, including its own small power plant from 1906. Today, after extensive restoration, the Lower Castle is a living open-air museum with a castle courtyard, mill (including the court bakery), manor house, barns, mill race, and a historic power plant. Visitors can book guided tours, sample bread baked in a stone oven, or attend events such as weddings and exhibitions. A sculpture trail in the castle meadows completes the experience. The Upper Castle, a private residential and cultural complex, is also privately owned. Guided tours and vacation rentals are available upon request. Lissingen Castle is an ideal stopover for cyclists on the Kyll Valley Cycle Path or Eifel tours: located directly on the trail, with parking nearby and refreshment options. Visitors not only enjoy the picturesque architecture, but also experience the transformation from Roman origins to monastic fiefdom and commercial agricultural operation to today's living cultural heritage. Practical information: The lower castle can be visited regularly almost year-round (please check opening hours and guided tours in advance), the upper castle only by appointment. Food and drink are available at the castle mill/court bakery – perfect for a rest stop while cycling through the Eifel.

In 1670 the castle was badly damaged by a lightning strike in the Powder Tower. It was occupied by the French on July 6, 1691, but was recaptured on August 5 of the same year. Gerolstein is destroyed in the process. In 1840 the castle was also known as Jungkernburg. The remaining remnants of the wall were partially demolished in the 18th century and further destroyed in the Second World War. Today only a few remains remain, but they have been restored. Excerpt from Wikipedia

The complex consists of the privately inhabited front castle and the ruins of the main castle behind it, accessible via a wooden bridge, from which there is a good view of Gerolstein and the rocks of the Munterlay.

I would like to see this castle from the inside!

Super steep ascent and descent to the castle, with the turbocharged e-bikes and be careful on the descent.

Beautiful view and wonderfully suitable for a break on a longer round.

Gerolstein Castle, also known as Löwenburg, Gerhardstein Castle or Junkernburg, is the ruin of a hilltop castle in the town of Gerolstein in the Vulkaneifel district in Rhineland-Palatinate. The Löwenburg was first mentioned in a document in 1115, when Gerhard von Blankenheim moved his seat of power to Gerhardstein Castle, which he had built (which is probably where the place name of Gerolstein derives from). In the 13th century, Gerhard IV expanded the castle into a fortified castle with a front and back castle. After the Blankenheimers died out, Gerhardstein Castle passed to the House of Loon-Heinsberg in 1423 and to Dietrich III, Count von Manderscheid in 1468. He divided his property between his three sons in 1488, with the second, Johann, inheriting the county of Blankenheim, Jünkerath, Gerolstein Castle and parts of the Mechernich lordship, and founding the Manderscheid-Blankenheim-Gerolstein line. In 1486 the castle was supplemented by two chapels. In the 16th century the shield wall was built with a thickness of two meters. In 1670 the castle was badly damaged by a lightning strike in the powder tower. On July 6, 1691, it was occupied by the French, but was recaptured on August 5 of the same year. In the process, Gerolstein is destroyed. In 1840 the castle was also known as the Jungkernburg. The remaining remains of the wall are partially removed in the 18th century and further destroyed in the Second World War. Today only a few remains stand, but they have been restored.

<< Löwenburg Castle Ruins >> "High above Gerolstein lies the ruins of the medieval hilltop castle. This is also known as Löwenburg or Gerhardstein Castle, and is named after Gerhard VI of Blankenheim (1314 - 1350). The castle was first mentioned in documents in 1115 and was expanded in the 13th century by Gerhard IV to become a fortified castle with an outer and rear castle. After the Blankenheim family died out, Gerhardstein Castle passed to the House of Loon-Heinsberg in 1423 and to Dietrich III, Count of Manderscheid, in 1468. He divided his property between his three sons in 1488, with the second, Johann, inheriting Gerolstein Castle, among other things, and thus establishing the Manderscheid-Blankenheim-Gerolstein line. The Löwenburg was destroyed in the Palatinate War of Succession in 1691 and was not rebuilt. Today, the 11 m high shield wall and the remains of Residential buildings are a reminder of the castle's once great importance as a ruler's seat. Located close to the Eifelsteig and the Vulkaneifelpfad Keltenpfad, the castle ruins offer a great panoramic view of Gerolstein, the Gerolstein Dolomites and the Kyll Valley." https://www.geopark-vulkaneifel.de/eifel/landschaft/burgen-und-schloesser/burgruine-loewenburg.html