#41: Eltz Castle
Medieval castles come and go, but Eltz Castle remains the same. This 12th-century castle is located in Wierschem, Germany. It is one of the only castles in the region that has never been destroyed. It’s a piece of living history that is even more notable because it is still owned by descendants of the original owners.
The House of Eltz began building what would become Eltz Castle in the early 1100s. We can’t even conceive of a family being able to trace their ancestry that far back, but it’s entirely possible for the Eltz family. Interestingly, the castle is collectively owned by various branches of the family, much like it was back in the 12th century. According to the Eltz Castle website, certain parts of the family have opened their portion of the castle for public tours.