Manderscheid castles hold annual medieval festival Aug. 30-31

  • Published
  • By Iris Reiff
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  The ruins of two fortresses - the upper and lower fortresses - will form an impressive background for a medieval castle celebration,Aug. 30-31, 2014, at the health resort of Manderscheid.

At the Turnierwiese, (jousting meadow or training grounds), at the foot of the Niederburg or lower castle, a group of knights from Duesseldorf will create a jousting arena where knights on their horses will battle with lances, swords, bows and spears.

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

A traditional handcraft market will be set up and will remain open on both days.

The festival will officially kick off Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. with the opening of the market, followed by a variety of music and theater performances, including jugglers, stilt walkers and medieval singing performances.

Historical fighting scenes by the "Loewenritter" or Lion Knights, who will be dressed in their armor suits, are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on the jousting meadow. Entertainment by a street musician is scheduled for late afternoon. Games and plays will occur in the festival area throughout the afternoon. Concerts, belly dancing and singing performances occur in the early evening.

Additional fighting scenes are scheduled for 9 p.m. A fireworks display is scheduled to take place later starting at 10:30 p.m. over the Niederburg castle.
More entertainment and dancing will follow the fireworks display under the motto "Taverna Spectacle".

Activities on Aug. 31 continue with musical performances, fairy tale stories and other events and performances starting at 11 a.m. The market will open at 11:15 a.m.

Middle Age actions, including a jousting tournament by the Lion Knights, kickoff at 2 p.m. and additional historical fencing performances follow at 6 p.m.

Entertainment continues until 10 p.m. when this year's Manderscheid historical festival comes to an end with a concert and Great Curfew.

Entry price to the event is 8 Euros for adults or 5 Euros, if dressed in a medieval costume, and 4 Euros for children, age 12-17. Children younger than age 12 get in for free.

Artists are present and perform their acts throughout the day. There is also entertainment for children.

Manderscheid's two castle ruins also can be visited daily throughout the year. The Oberburg, (upper castle), is the oldest, dating from the year 973; the Niederburg, (lower castle), was first mentioned in 1173.

A shuttle bus service will be available from the center of town to the castles. Visitors may follow the signs to the designated Park & Ride parking lot.

Entry is 2 Euros for adults and 1 Euro for children older than age 6. Children younger than age 6 get in for free.

It's open daily from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. with shorter hours from November to March.
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.