Nürburg Castle

The first documented mention of Nürburg Castle dates back to 1166. It is believed that a signal station already existed at this location during Roman times. Count Ulrich is considered the actual builder of the castle, although his father Dietrich I of Are had already begun constructing a refuge castle. Ulrich's descendants adopted the name "Lords of Nürburg and Are" and were vassals of the Archbishops of Cologne. In 1290, the castle passed into the possession of Electoral Cologne, as the line of the Lords of Nürburg had died out. The construction of the complex took place in three phases: First, the rectangular core castle was built, followed by enceinte walls between 1340 and 1369. In the 15th century, a third ring was added to protect the castlemen's houses, which are no longer preserved today. Already in the 16th century, the officials complained about the poor condition of the castle, leading to restoration work.