Das Beste kommt zum Schloss

Concerts in the Courtyard of the Oberes Schloss

High above Siegen, with a view of the Siegerland and the Westerwald, lies the Oberes Schloss — a Renaissance building from the 13th century that has shaped the cityscape for centuries. In summer, its historic courtyard opens its doors for a concert series that is unique in the region: „Das Beste kommt zum Schloss“. The series is part of the extensive cultural summer program of the municipal initiative Kultur! Siegen.

Diversity between Music, Cabaret, and Comedy

What makes the series special is its curated selection. Instead of a continuous multi-day festival, several evenings with a prominent act each are staged throughout the summer. The spectrum ranges from singer-songwriters and song poets to jazz greats and multimedia comedy and satirical cabaret. Here you experience not only a concert but also the special genius loci of a medieval castle at sunset.

Kultur! Siegen — The Organizer

Behind the program is the municipal initiative Kultur! Siegen, which coordinates the city's entire cultural summer program. Mayor Tristan Vitt puts it in a nutshell: “We are taking culture out of the classical venues and into people's everyday lives.” In addition to “Das Beste kommt zum Schloss,” the program also includes the Nacht der 1000 Lichter (Night of 1000 Lights) in the castle park, the Grüne Bühne (Green Stage) in the Herrengarten, Sonntagnachmittag um 4 (Sunday Afternoon at 4) in the tent arena, and Straßenmusik unterm Krönchen (Street Music under the Little Crown) for the summer program.

Siegen — University City in the Siegerland

Siegen is the only major city in Southwestphalia and home to the University of Siegen. Nestled in the hilly Siegerland on the southeastern edge of North Rhine-Westphalia, the city is surrounded by dense forests and has been closely associated with iron and steel processing for centuries. In the Krönchen — the golden crown atop the Nikolaikirche — Siegen has a landmark that you will find in many festival posters and logos.

Atmosphere

The audience is a mix of locals from Siegen, students from the university, guests from the surrounding districts of Olpe, Wittgenstein, and Westerwaldkreis, as well as culturally interested day-trippers from the greater Cologne/Bonn area. In the courtyard of the Oberes Schloss, you sit in a natural amphitheater among old walls — enjoying wine from the Siegerland, beer from Krombach or Erndtebrück, and on clear evenings, a view of the stars over the Siegtal valley.