Luxury, romance and a fairytale atmosphere — that’s how we imagine life at the medieval Eltz Castle. But what is it really like to live there? Spoiler: there are 80 rooms, all of which require a little maintenance.
DW’s Hannah Hummel asks owner Jakob Graf zu Eltz about life at the castle back then and now. The castle resident has even set up his home office there. Would that be something for you, too?
Burg Eltz is a hilltop castle from the 12th century and one of the most famous of its kind in Germany. It is located in the Elz valley, a left tributary of the Moselle, in the district of Wierschem in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Owned by the noble Eltz family for more than 800 years, the building has been largely preserved. Like Bürresheim Castle and Lissingen Castle, it is one of the fortifications in the Eifel that were never conquered by force. The castle is open to the public and a popular destination.
German history dates back over two thousand years. Back to when the Romans controlled the German lands west of the Rhine River. The history of the Germanic tribes, however, goes back centuries further.
This one hour documentary unravels the history of the Germans from their prehistorical arrival on continental Europe in 2000 BC up to the unification of the German people under the flag of the German Empire, orchestrated by Otto von Bismarck of Prussia in 1871, followed by the horrrors of the 20th century – the first and second world wars, which resulted in the final unification of Germany as we know it today.
The Schlieffen plan of attack used by the German armies at the outbreak of World War I. It was named after its developer, Count Alfred von Schlieffen (1833–1913), former chief of the German general staff.
To meet the possibility of Germany’s facing a war against France in the west and Russia in the east, Schlieffen proposed that, instead of aiming the first strike against Russia, Germany should aim a rapid, decisive blow with a large force at France’s flank through Belgium, then sweep around and crush the French armies against a smaller German force in the south.
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To understand German history is to understand how the German people thinks. It can’t be any other way. With any other people. Including your people.
The Protestant work ethic, brought to America by early Puritans and other settlers, reinforced the idea that hard work and economic success are signs of divine favor. This theological perspective aligns closely with capitalist ideals, suggesting that market success is a reflection of personal virtue and effort. Consequently, prices determined by the market are perceived as just rewards for one’s labor and entrepreneurial skill, rather than as fixed, objective values.
The Protestant work ethic, closely associated with German culture, advocates for hard work, honesty, and fair dealing. These values stem from the teachings of Martin Luther and other Protestant reformers who emphasized ethical conduct in economic transactions. The concept of the just price can be traced to medieval Christian doctrines, particularly those of Thomas Aquinas, who argued that a fair price is one that reflects the true value of labor and materials, without exploiting either party. This theological perspective persists in German culture, where business transactions are often framed as moral agreements, requiring that prices be justified by objective criteria rather than market manipulation.
As Foreign Minister, Hans-Dietrich Genscher was instrumental in Cold War negotiations (1970s-1990s), including disarmament talks and EU integration. Genscher emphasized diplomacy, long-term stability, and carefully structured agreements, reflecting the German emphasis on planning and consistency.
Wolfgang Schäuble, as Finance Minister, played a central role in negotiating the European Stability Mechanism. He was known for his strict, no-nonsense approach, insisting on clear financial rules and enforcement mechanisms, underscoring the German preference for contractual certainty and fiscal discipline.