Why Mespelbrunn Castle should be your next cruise adventure
Deep within Germany’s secluded Spessart forest, tucked away in a remote valley, a true hidden treasure awaits your discovery. This is Schloss Mespelbrunn, also known as Mespelbrunn Castle, a place so secluded that for centuries it was never found, surviving even the tumult of the Thirty Years War. Mespelbrunn Castle emerges from the trees like a vision from a storybook. With its soaring towers, warm red sandstone and tranquil moat, it is a place where you almost expect Rapunzel to let her hair down from a window. This is one of Germany's most beautiful moated castles, a destination that captures the very essence of a fairy tale.
For centuries, castles like this have dotted the German landscape, but few offer such an authentic glimpse into the past. What makes Mespelbrunn so special is that it is someone’s residence today.
A castle born from heroism
A journey with Viking is an enriching way to discover the history behind Europe’s most fascinating landmarks and Mespelbrunn is no exception. This castle was born not from an aristocrat’s daydream, but from an act of selfless heroism. As legend has it, in the late Middle Ages a member of the Echter family saved the Duke-Archbishop in a dangerous situation, carrying him on his shoulders to safety. In gratitude, the Duke-Archbishop declared, “You saved my life. I will give you this place as a present for your family.”
Mespelbrunn began as a hunting lodge, a place of bountiful feasts, tall tales and brave knights. As the Echter family sought to tame the wild land, a 16th-century generation reshaped the castle into the more pleasing, Renaissance-style masterpiece we see today.
A legacy forged in the forest
This castle’s distinctive details have survived man-made and natural threats from wars and weather. One key symbol that has transcended the centuries is the Echter family crest, which consists of three rings. The crest holds a strange and wonderful story of three strong brothers who, after a fight, were banished to live in the woods. They agreed to meet once a month at a specific point, where they had to tie their horses together. After they were freed, they adopted the three rings in memory of those years, and the spirit of the three brothers lives on.
Plan Your Journey
Should you desire to visit this real-life fairy tale castle in person, we invite you to join us on a river journey through Germany. Like many who visit, you too may find yourself in absolutely no hurry to leave. Explore our itineraries to view dates, pricing and excursion details, and discover a side of Germany that few travelers ever get to see.
