Medieval Market at Kirkel Castle

A Castle and its Medieval Market

Kirkel Castle has perched atop a sandstone rock above Kirkel since the 12th century – between Homburg and Neunkirchen, right in the middle of the UNESCO Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve. Once a year in May, it becomes the stage for one of the oldest and most prestigious medieval markets in Saarland. 2026 marks the 25th anniversary edition, and the organizers (Municipality of Kirkel, Office for Culture, Sports, and Tourism) promise a particularly elaborate program.

Market, Camps, and Stages

Over 20 market stalls offer handmade goods, jewelry, regional specialties, and medieval crafts. Two knight camps – one below the castle, one on the castle plateau – showcase camp life with blacksmithing, bow making, combat demonstrations, and combat training. Two stages at different levels distribute the show program so that paths are short and visibility is good.

Music and Performance

Two bands will set the musical tone in 2026: Die Notnägel as local favorites and Ranunculus from the Loreley Valley. Dance performances will be provided by Shabanna Atesh (Saturday) and Ashera and the velvet Serpents (Sunday). A fanfare group with flag wavers and drummers opens on Saturday, complemented by storytellers, the magician and herald Kalibo, and falconry demonstrations with birds of prey.

Family Program

Children are specifically catered for here: face painting, hair braiding, supervised crossbow and archery, storytelling sessions. Unlike many large markets, the atmosphere is manageable and personal – the castle grounds themselves create moments of awe, as the towers and walls are freely accessible.

Cuisine and the Bliesgau

Grilling is handled by the castle support association, a vegan/vegetarian soup stand, Flammkuchen, rice pudding, a spelt bakery with handmade rolls, chocolate-raisin and cinnamon swirls, and nut pastries with coffee – and of course, mead, beer, and spiced wine at several bars. The location in the Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO since 2009) influences the product selection as well as the overarching concept of regional value creation.

The Castle as a Magnet

Kirkel Castle is already one of Saarland's most popular excursion destinations. Its silhouette, visible from afar above the village, the unobstructed view from the keep across the Bliesgau landscape, and the calm, almost dreamy atmosphere outside of festival days make the site a cornerstone of historical tourism in Saarland. The medieval market is the annual revitalization of this heritage.