Historical Castle Festival Manderscheid

A Castle Town in the Eifel

Manderscheid, with its two castle ruins – the Niederburg and the Oberburg – is one of the most famous castle towns in the Eifel. The Niederburg, larger and better preserved, regularly serves as the venue for historical events, including the annual castle festival. In 2026, the event celebrates its 41st edition – a testament to the format's enduring appeal.

Jousting Tournament "The Seven Seals"

The centerpiece of the festival is the jousting tournament "The Seven Seals". Knights in full armor compete against each other in several disciplines: sword fighting, jousting, equestrian tournament, and archery. The tournament is designed as a show but combines historical accuracy with dramatized combat sequences. Several performances per day.

Craft Market

A craft market brings together exhibitors from traditional medieval trades: blacksmiths, basket weavers, potters, leatherworkers, weavers, dyers, carpenters, and more. Visitors can watch the craftspeople at work and purchase products – from forged items and leather goods to ceramics and textiles.

Jester Show and Falconry

Jesters, musicians, acrobats, and fire artists perform on several stages and squares. The falconry presents birds of prey in impressive flight demonstrations, where falcons, goshawks, and owls showcase their flying skills.

Children's Program

A dedicated children's program offers medieval activities for young guests: archery, sword training (with wooden swords), costume dressing, crafts, hands-on activities, and age-appropriate stories.

"Niederburg in Flames"

The highlight on Saturday evening is "Niederburg in Flames" – a spectacular show with fire artists, light effects, and pyrotechnics that transform the castle ruins into a dramatic, almost cinematic scene. Thousands of spectators watch the spectacle.