Friday, June 12, 2009

Marksburg



My Image of Marksburg on Imagekind

Situated above Braubach, Marksburg is the only intact medieval Rhine castle. It was first mentioned in 1231. Originally known as Burg Braubach, it was property of the Lords of Eppstein, who assumed the local silver mines. In 1283, it became the property of the Count Eberhard II of Katzenelnbogen, whose family added the gothic aspects of the castle. From 1479 to 1803, it was ruled by the Landgraves of Hesse. In the seventeenth century, it was turned into a hill fortress with artillery batteries and ramparts. During the first half of the nineteenth century, it belonged to the Duchy of Nassau, and was used as both a jail and disabled soldiers’ home. In 1866, Marksburg and Braubach passed to Prussia. In 1900, Marksburg was purchased by the Association for the Preservation of German Castles, and was restored by court architect, Bodo Ebhardt, as a typical late medieval fortress.

Legend relates that Elizabeth, daughter to Count von Eppstein, fell in love with a knight named Siegbert von Lahnstein, who was called to go to war against Bohemia. A young monk called Brother Mark, who was named after St. Mark, decided to help Elizabeth through her period of difficulty. A year later, a young gentleman in black armour, named Rochus von Andechs, who claimed to be a cousin of Siegbert, appeared at Burg Lahneck, and stated that Siegbert had died at the Battle of Marchfeld. Rochus quickly claimed Burg Lahneck, and asked for Elizabeth's hand. Elizabeth confided to Brother Mark that something about Rochus was not right, but father was set on her marrying Rochus. While praying one night, St. Mark appeared before his namesake, Brother Mark, and informed the monk that Rochus was a minion of the devil. St. Mark gave Brother Mark a Holy Cross, which Brother Mark pushed to Rochus’ chest. Rochus was swallowed by the earth.

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