Past meets present at Manderscheid castle festival

  • Published
  • By Iris Reiff
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
A historic castle celebration takes place Aug. 27-28 at the Manderscheid health resort, located near the ruins of two fortresses in the center of the Eifel region.

At the Turnierweise jousting meadow at the foot of the Niederburg, or lower castle, a group of knights from Duesseldorf will battle with lances, swords, bows and spears. They demonstrate their skills with medieval weaponry and most notably, they joust, knight versus knight.

Minstrel singers and small singing groups will present songs and ballads from three centuries ago. They will accompany dancers from the 15th and 16th centuries on historic instruments. A small village will be built on the jousting meadow to show what life was like in the Middle Ages.

A traditional handicraft market will be available both days. At the market, craftspeople will present their art and talents.

Entry price to the event is 8 Euro for adults and 4 Euro for children age 12-17. Children below the age of 11 get in free.

A free bus shuttle service to and from the castle is available both days of the festival from a designated "Park & Ride" parking lot. The bus runs every 15 minutes Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. both days of the event. Visitors must follow the signs to the designated parking lots in Manderscheid or the nearby community of Pantenburg and take the bus from here.

This year's festival will start 11 a.m. Aug. 27 with announcements, fairy tale-stories in German and music. Jugglers, acrobats and stilt walkers can be seen throughout the day.

A jousting tournament, presented by the "Loewenritter" Lion knights will take place at 2:30 and 9 p.m. on the jousting meadow.

A giant fireworks display from the lower fortress takes place about 10:30 p.m. People should try to be in place to observe the spectacle about 10:15 p.m.

Activities continue at 11 a.m. Aug. 28 with the opening of the handicraft market, followed by music and theater performances. At 2 and 6 p.m., Middle Age actions take place with fencing performances by the Lion knights, dressed in traditional suits of armor.

Medieval games, historical fencing performances, music, plays and singing will continue to occur throughout the afternoon.

Manderscheid's two castle ruins can be visited daily throughout the year. The Oberburg or upper castle is the oldest and dates from the year 973. The entry is free.
The Niederburg or lower castle was first mentioned in 1173.

Manderscheid is located north of the Moselle River, directly north of Autobahn A48. To get there, take a right outside the main gate and follow the signs. As you get into Manderscheid stay on the main road until you get to the first main intersection. Take a right at this intersection, following the signs "Zu den Burgen" or to the castles. People who wish ride the free "Park & Ride" bus shuttle may follow the signs.

For more information, call the Manderscheid tourist information office at 06572-932665 or e-mail info@manderscheid.de.