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If ever there was a castle
deserving the "fairy tale" designation based on its
appearance Eltz would win the honors. For, unlike Neuschwanstein
in the south of Bavaria, made popular by its Disneyland copy,
Eltz was built as a true castle in the German tradition of fortified
residences, not as a military post. Never destroyed in battle
it retains its original features. It once served as separate
sections for three lines of the family, a family that continues
to this day. |
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Its most important military
engagement was when the Elector of Trier, Archbishop Baldwinof
Luxembourg,decided he wanted to control all the lands up through
the Mosel river between Trier and the Rhine river. Castle Eltz
controlled important lands along this route, including the Eltz
river, a tributary of the Mosel, and an important trade road
leading to the Mosel. The engagement, known as the Eltz Fued,
lasted from 1331-1336. During this prolonged fued the bishop
of Trier built and opposing castle tower called Trutz-Eltz (Spite
Eltz) from which he lobbed stone balls onto the Eltz. The tower
is still visible above the Eltz today. (see left). The Eltz family
and their allies sued for peace and became vassals of the The
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