Medieval castle and UNESCO World Heritage Site above Eisenach: the Palas, a museum, and the Luther Room, where Luther translated the New Testament.
May 9, 2026 – March 25, 2027
The exhibition tells the story of the castle's construction phases between the 19th and mid-20th centuries, presenting previously unknown finds, discarded architectural ornaments, and historic construction-site photos.
According to tradition, Count Ludwig der Springer had the first castle built around 1067 on the rocky spur above what is now Eisenach. Under the Ludowingians, who rose to become Landgraves of Thuringia, the Wartburg became an important princely seat. In the late 12th century the Romanesque Palas was built; it is considered one of the best-preserved secular buildings of its era north of the Alps. In the early 13th century the court was also home to Elisabeth of Thuringia, later canonized, and the legend of the Sängerkrieg (Minstrels' Contest) links the site with the great medieval minnesingers.
The castle gained world-historical significance in 1521/22: after the Diet of Worms, Martin Luther found refuge here as "Junker Jörg" (Squire George) and translated the New Testament into German within a few weeks. In 1817 students gathered here for the Wartburgfest, an early signal of the German national movement.
In the 19th century, Grand Duke Carl Alexander of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach had the partly dilapidated complex restored and furnished in a historicist style, including the frescoes by Moritz von Schwind. Since 1922 the Wartburg-Stiftung (Wartburg Foundation) has been responsible for its preservation and interpretation, and in 1999 the castle was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Today the tour leads through the historic rooms of the Palas, the museum with its art collection, and the Luther Room. From 2027 the Palas will undergo extensive renovation; the castle will remain open with restrictions during the work.
| Adults | €13 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €9People with severe disabilities, socially disadvantaged people, students, and apprentices |
| Children & teens | €5free up to age 6 · Children and school pupils aged 7 to 18; children up to and including age 6 free. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount listed. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €9Reduced admission for visitors with severe disabilities; the policy for companions is not stated on the website. |
| Students & apprentices | €9Students and apprentices |
| Groups (15+ people) | –Reservations for groups of 15 or more through visitor services (tel. +49 3691 250-220); group prices on request. School classes: guided tour €5, guided tour with workshop €8.50 per pupil. |
| Families | €312 adults with up to 5 children; mini-family ticket (1 adult with up to 5 children) €22. |
Prices apply to the Palas, museum, and Luther Room (with guided tour or audio guide); special exhibition included. Visiting the grounds, castle courtyards, and the Thüringer Erlebnisportal (visitor center) is free. Surcharges: photo permit €2, South Tower €1. Castle shuttle from the parking lot €4 one way / €7 round trip. A combination ticket with the temporary site in Eisenach has been announced for 2027.
Large parts of the castle are not accessible: steep, cobbled approach road (castle shuttle recommended); outdoor areas only partly usable by wheelchair. The Palas, museum, and Luther Room are spread over three floors with spiral staircases and no elevator. The Thüringer Erlebnisportal at the parking lot is fully accessible (with induction loop and accessible restroom); there is another accessible restroom next to visitor services at the castle. Tactile model of the castle with Braille in the castle courtyard; touchable objects on guided tours. Visitors must bring their own sign language interpreters. Website available in Leichte Sprache (Easy German). Individual advice at +49 3691 250-220.
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
| Family ticket | €31 · 2 adults with up to 5 children; mini-family ticket (1 adult with up to 5 children) €22. |
"Familienburg" program: family tours of the Palas, museum, and Luther Room (on weekends, during school holidays, and on public holidays at 11:00 and 13:00), a children's audio guide featuring Alba the adventure mouse in several languages, and a special exhibition with hands-on stations. Free in the outdoor area: the "Eselei" climbing and adventure trail and a hands-on construction site on medieval building techniques. The approach to the castle is very steep and cobbled in places.
Wartburg-Parkplatz / Thüringer Erlebnisportal · 500 m
Bus line 3 from the bus station at Eisenach Hauptbahnhof (main station; also from other stops in town) to the Wartburg parking lot at the Thüringer Erlebnisportal; from there, a steep climb of about 500 m or the paid castle shuttle.
Paid parking · 500 m to the entrance
Paid Wartburg parking lot for cars, motorcycles, buses, and RVs (day ticket: car €7, bus €25, RV €12); free bicycle garages. Alternatively, parking in the Mariental or in the town center. Castle shuttle between the parking lot and the castle €4 per trip, €7 round trip.
GPS: Auf der Wartburg 1, 99817 Eisenach. Cycling up the castle road is not permitted. On foot, routes include the Luthererlebnispfad (Luther trail) from the market square.
Get directions"Zucker & Zimt Wartburg-Café" in the historic Gadem building and "Zucker & Zimt am Kräutergarten" in the second castle courtyard. The café in the Gadem will close at the end of 2026 because of the construction work; food service is due to move to the former hotel next to the castle in early 2027. The hotel at the Wartburg has been closed since 2022.
According to the website, no information on room rentals; inquiries via visitor services (besucherservice@wartburg.de). The Banqueting Hall and the Singers' Hall are used for concerts and the foundation's own events.
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (DE, EN, ES, FR, NL, ZH, JA, IT, KO) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Inside only with a paid photo permit (€2) |
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