Medieval Festival Burgfrühling Wertheim

Wertheim Castle — Romance on the Main

Wertheim Castle is one of Germany's most famous castle ruins – a two-part hilltop castle dating back to the 12th century, with a main castle, outer bailey, towers, and walls, picturesquely perched above the confluence of the Tauber and Main rivers. The castle belongs to the town of Wertheim am Main in the Main-Tauber district (AGS 08128), the northernmost tip of Baden-Württemberg. Today, the castle is a popular tourist attraction and a venue for historical reenactments – the Burgfrühling in March kicks off the event season.

Medieval Market with Camp Life

The Burgfrühling transforms the castle ruins into a vibrant medieval market. Merchants in medieval costumes set up their stalls in the wall niches, the castle courtyard, and the outer bailey areas – selling mead, honey, herbs, leather goods, blacksmith work, candles, and fabrics. Craftspeople work live: the blacksmith at the forge, the basket weaver, the leatherworker, the woodturner. Knights, musicians, and jesters in historical costumes populate the castle.

Spectacles — Sword Fighting, Blacksmithing, Fire Eaters

Three main attractions shape the program:

• Sword Fighting Demonstrations — Choreographed fights and live duels by knight performers in full armor
• Blacksmith Demonstrations — the blacksmith forges iron tools, horseshoe nails, and small jewelry pieces before the visitors' eyes
• Fire Eaters and acrobats — fire show in the evening at dusk in the inner courtyard

In addition, live music with medieval instruments – lute, hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, drums – is performed at several locations.

Culinary — Mead, Draft Beer, Flatbread

The catering follows the medieval concept: roasted meat on a spit (pork, chicken), flatbread from a wood-fired oven, filled with herb quark or grilled vegetables, mead (honey wine) from wooden barrels, and draft beer from a regional brewery. Sweets: honey cake, walnut cookies.

Admission Prices and Family Policy

The Burgfrühling has clear admission prices:

• Adults: €9
• Historically Costumed: €7 — those who come dressed in medieval attire receive a €2 discount
• Children: €5
• First child in family: free
• Preschool children free, accompanying persons for severely disabled guests (category B) free

A family with two children thus pays €9+€9+€5 = €23 (first child free) – attractive for a two-day experience.

Getting There and Castle Ascent

Wertheim is accessible by train from Würzburg (RB line) or Frankfurt. By car via the A3 motorway (Würzburg–Frankfurt). The castle can only be reached on foot from the Wertheim town center – no vehicle access. Parking available in the lower town. For disabled visitors, a free accompanying person is admitted. Dogs on a leash are allowed.

Wertheim am Main — Surrounding Town

Wertheim itself is a picturesque old town with half-timbered houses, a market square, and old town walls. A visit to the Burgfrühling can be well combined with a stroll through the town. The confluence of the Main and Tauber rivers – Tauber meets Main – is spectacularly visible from the castle.