500 Years of Fortification: The Fortified Town of Büdingen

FORTE CULTURA guided tour: Fortified town of Germersheim (DE)
Cover image: Town of Büdingen

The History of Defence in Büdingen
between the Middle Ages and the modern era

Discover the unique Fortress town of Büdingen

There is no longer any water in the moats, but otherwise almost everything remains as it was 500 years ago: Büdingen is fortunate to possess one of the best-preserved fortifications in Germany, which, like few others, symbolises the transition from the Middle Ages to the modern era.

The construction of the fortress, which came to an end in 1511 with the death of Count Ludwig, was ostensibly a measure taken by the ruling class, yet it had a lasting impact on the lives of the inhabitants. This was because the townspeople were now even more heavily involved in the upkeep of the defences; they had to provide gatekeepers and guards and were called upon to defend the town in times of conflict. These and other issues will be explored during a guided tour of the town.

The old town is at ground level and has limited accessibility. For „strolling groups“, the Büdingen tour guides adapt the tour routes so that the walks are short and include plenty of places to sit.