Marksburg Castle

Archaeological Exploration and Dry-Stone Wall Conservation Works at Historic Vineyard

Marksburg Castle, situated on a
commanding hill above the town of
Braubach, is one of the most important
examples of medieval military
architecture in Germany. Unlike many
other castles in the region, Marksburg
has never been destroyed, allowing it
to retain a high degree of historical
authenticity. Originally constructed in 1239, the castle underwent various modifications over the centuries, adapting to evolving defensive needs while preserving its structural integrity. Today, Marksburg serves as the headquarters of the German Castles Association (Deutsche Burgenvereinigung), Germany’s oldest organisation dedicated to the study and preservation of castles. The work carried out by the German Castles Association at Marksburg, both in conservation and in research, exemplifies the ongoing commitment to maintaining the authenticity and cultural value of these historic structures.

The castle is located within the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site inscribed in 2002. This 65-kilometre stretch of the Rhine between Bingen and Koblenz is recognised for its outstanding cultural landscape, shaped by centuries of human interaction with the natural environment. The site’s inclusion as part of the UNESCO cultural landscape highlights the interdependence of castles, trade routes, and human settlement patterns in shaping the historical development of the Rhine Valley.

Project description

The hands-on activities will focus on archaeological investigation and the conservation of historic landscape structures associated with Marksburg Castle’s defensive and agricultural setting. Work will begin with a targeted excavation in a former defensive zone containing stratified deposits from the 16th to the 20th century. Participants will assist in the careful excavation, sorting, and documentation of layers in order to identify structural remains and better understand the site’s successive phases of use.

A second focus will be the rehabilitation of a historic dry-stone retaining wall that formerly stabilised vineyard terraces along the castle’s access route. Damaged sections will be dismantled and rebuilt using traditional dry-stone masonry techniques, reusing original stone material wherever possible. The works will address structural instability while preserving historic construction methods and material character.

An important aspect of the course will be the application of archaeological and dry-stone methodologies within an authentic castle environment, combining investigation with practical conservation. The educational programme will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of how archaeological research, traditional building techniques, and cultural landscape conservation interact within a World Heritage site.

REQUIREMENTS: CV, Motivation Letter and interview ACCOMMODATION: basic facilities, shared rooms with beds, warm showers and toilets.

LOCATION: Marksburg, Rhineland-Palatinate