Metilstein Castle

The Metilstein, also known as Mädelstein, is the 365 m high local mountain of Eisenach, situated above the old town. On its summit, the ruins of Metilstein Castle have been preserved. Metilstein Castle was a medieval castle and fortification and is protected as an archaeological monument. The name "Metilstein" is said to be derived from "Mittelstein" (middle stone).

According to older traditions, Metilstein Castle was built before 1200 and served as a residence for a collateral line descended from the Treffurt knights. The extent of the discovered building fabric supports this theory, as, in contrast to other siege castles, clear traces of massive stone structures are found.

During the Thuringian-Hessian War of Succession (1247-1263), a ring of siege and fortification structures was built around the Wartburg. These are said to have been constructed by the citizens of Eisenach and the attacking Hessian and Brunswick troops, according to the Eisenach chronicler Johannes Rothe.

In January 1261, Landgrave Heinrich the Illustrious, from his base at the Wartburg and with troops brought in, began to storm the siege castles Metilstein, Frauenburg, and Eisenacher Burg, which had been erected against him, as well as the city of Eisenach itself. He subsequently conquered and destroyed all enemy positions.

The already abandoned complex was then partially rebuilt once more in 1306 by rebellious Eisenachers against the Wartburg during the Wettin House War, attacked several times in the subsequent battles, and abandoned with the defeat of the Eisenachers in 1308.

In the late 18th century, the Eisenach merchant and patron Roese acquired the land and created a landscape park and pleasure garden – the so-called Roesesche Hölzchen. In memory of the former castle complex, he had an artificial ruin erected on the Metilstein, which, however, was removed again in the 19th century.

The Metilstein is the best-preserved castle ruin in the Eisenach area. At the summit of the distinctive conical mountain, one first encounters a ditch that is still clearly recognizable on three sides. Various worked rock sections, traces of still recognizable masonry, mortar, brick fragments, and excavated depressions mark the location of the former main buildings and a cistern. In the center of the complex, on a worked rock with remnants of stairs, the keep of the castle is located. In the eastern part, there is now a leveled open area, where further utility buildings probably stood. From a rock section in the south, one has a clear view of the castle gate of the Wartburg – about 500 m away. Several sunken roads lead to the Metilstein castle ruins from the north, coming from the city, and converge at the Roesestein, which also speaks for a significantly longer period of use as a residential castle.