A medieval castle overlooking the German-Luxembourg border is receiving funding to restore its chapel tower. Falkenstein Castle, whose history dates back to the 12th century, will benefit from €40,000 provided by the German Foundation for Monument Protection.

The funding, announced by the Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz, will support the replacement of the slate roof on the chapel tower. The money comes from private donations and proceeds from the German charity lottery GlücksSpirale.

A Castle with Medieval OriginsCastle Falkenstein at Falkenstein-Waldhof in Germany, taken from the other side of the Our in Luxemburg (Bivels). Photo by Brbbl / Wikimedia Commons

Falkenstein Castle stands on a narrow rocky promontory overlooking a bend in the River Our, near Waldhof-Falkenstein in Rhineland-Palatinate. The privately owned ruins occupy a commanding position above the river, which forms part of the border between Germany and Luxembourg.

Archaeological finds, including coins and pottery, indicate that the site was occupied during Celtic and Roman times. The medieval castle is first documented in 1192, when a charter from the Abbey of Echternach mentions both the fortification and a church.

The castle was constructed across several terraces, with its roughly triangular layout adapted to the rocky terrain. Its surviving medieval features include a 14th-century tower incorporated into the curtain wall. Sections of the outer walls were reconstructed around 1900, reflecting later efforts to preserve the historic site.

Restoring the Romanesque Chapel

The castle’s small Romanesque chapel stands on the eastern side of the complex. Built from rubble masonry, it has three aisles and a chancel apse, reflecting the architectural traditions of the medieval period.

Although the chapel stands on medieval foundations, much of the present structure was reconstructed between 1930 and 1936. Its interior features a flat timber ceiling, while slate roofing covers both the main building and the pyramidal roof of the tower above the apse.

The newly announced restoration will focus on replacing the tower’s slate roof, helping to preserve one of the castle’s most distinctive architectural features.

Top Image: Falkenstein castle ruins near Waldhof. Photo: German Foundation for Monument Protection/Bolz