Merburg Castle

Merburg Castle, locally known simply as Merburg, lies in the forest north of the village of Kirrberg, in the Saarland region in Germany.

Not much is known about Merburg Castle. According to tradition it was built somewhere between 1024 and 1080 on a rock called 'Malafels'. Lords of Merburg were only mentioned between 1159 and 1180. No other owners are known. Apparently the castle was already abandoned around the beginning of the 13th century. Later the site was used by a farm, which was last mentioned in 1479. In 1564 the castle was first described as a ruin.

The castle was built on a rock in the valley of the Lambsbach stream. It would have had a octagonal keep of probably 10 meters high. In front of the castle, a dry moat was cut out of the rock.

At present Merburg Castle can freely be visited. A simple, small castle ruin in a pastoral setting.

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