Does anyone else feel the echoes of knights and nobles as we stand before Burg Sommerau? This ruin tells tales. It whispers secrets of centuries past. Burg Sommerau stands high above the Ruwer near Sommerau. It is a testament to medieval life.
This castle’s story began in the 13th century. The Trier knight family von der Brücke built it. Their ancestral seat was in the Barbarathermen. In 1303, Johann Walram entrusted Burg Sommerau to the Archbishop of Trier. Walram was an alderman from the von der Brücke family. Later, it became a fiefdom of the Luxembourg knight family von der Fels.
Imagine this place in its prime. Burg Sommerau was a strategic stronghold. It was built on a rock spur. The Ruwer River flowed around it on three sides. This location offered natural defenses. The castle dominated the landscape.
Around 1440, Margaretha von der Fels transferred half of Burg Sommerau to her husband Dame von Werde. The other half likely went to her brother Georg von der Fels. In 1541, the brothers Georg and Arnold von der Fels were officially granted the castle.
Life wasn’t always peaceful here. In 1575, Luxembourgish soldiers plundered Burg Sommerau. They damaged it severely. This led to years of negotiations for reparations. The Thirty Years’ War also left its mark. It caused further destruction to Burg Sommerau.
By the early 19th century, Burg Sommerau had fallen into disrepair. In 1853, the state acquired it. This was to prevent further decay. The ruins were almost used as a quarry. In 1902, it was sold to a private owner. There was a catch. The owner had to maintain it. The land could not be separated from the castle.
Look at the layout of Burg Sommerau. The facility measures 40 by 10 meters. The remains of the residential building reach 10 meters high. The four-story square keep stands about 16 meters tall. It also served as a residential tower. A wooden battlement led to a door about 3 meters high.
Inside, the residential building had three full floors. There was also half of a fourth floor. A chimney started on the second floor. Remnants of the surrounding wall are still visible. These walls once supported the battlements.
Notice the unique feature at the rock spur’s narrowest point. It was broken through to create a mill. The Ruwer’s water powered it. This created the Sommerauer Waterfall. The mill is still in operation today.
In 1979 and 1980, Burg Sommerau underwent major renovations. This preserved the ruins. It ensures that future generations can appreciate its history.
Today, Burg Sommerau is freely accessible. Feel free to explore. Walk through the remnants of the palace. Imagine the lives of those who once lived here. Burg Sommerau is more than just stones. It is a window into the past. It is a reminder of the people who shaped this region. Its picturesque ensemble with the Schlossberg vineyards was honored in 2019 as a beacon of biodiversity.