Thurant Castle

Thurant Castle (Burg Thurant) near Alken is the largest castle on the Moselle River and a landmark of the region. This twin castle crowns a slate ridge above vineyards, and a visit takes you through courtyards, a chapel, a dungeon and a rock garden. Climb the Cologne Tower for a view over the valley. It is privately owned and open to visitors from March to mid-November.

A castle with two owners

The castle dates back to the late 12th century and was probably built by Count Palatine Henry I the Tall. It is first documented in 1209. After a two-year siege the archbishops of Cologne and Trier captured it in 1248 during a feud against the robber knight Berlewin. The peace treaty of November 17, 1248 is regarded as one of the oldest surviving German documents. It split the castle into two halves, the Cologne and Trier parts, each with its own keep, gate and service buildings.

The castle decayed in the 16th and 17th centuries, and French troops left it a ruin in 1689 during the War of the Palatine Succession. Robert Allmers bought it in 1911 and rebuilt parts of it. Since 1973 it has belonged jointly to the Allmers and Wulf families.

What to see

• Cologne Tower: one of two keeps, about 20 meters high, which you can climb for views of the Moselle. The Trier Tower is closed to visitors.
• Chapel in the Trier half, with old murals, a Baroque altar from 1779 and a baptismal font from 1515.
• Dungeon with medieval torture instruments, plus the hunting lodge with exhibits.
• Wine cellar about old winemaking, a rock garden and a kiosk with Moselle wine and snacks.

Plan on one to two hours.

Tickets and opening hours (as of October 2026)

• Opening hours: March 7 to April 30 daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; May 1 to October 9 daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; October 10 to 31 daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; November 1 to 15 daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Admission: adults 5 EUR, students and school children from age 6 3.50 EUR, children under 6 free. Groups of 20 or more pay 5 EUR with a guide and 3.50 EUR without.
• Payment: cash only; there is no card payment at the castle.

Getting there from Cologne and Frankfurt

Alken lies on the B 49 in the Moselle valley. By car it is about 110 km (roughly 1.5 hours) from Cologne and about 130 km from Frankfurt. An older castle directory lists parking right at the castle, so ask the castle office (+49 2605 2004) for current details. A cruise on the Moselle shows the castle from the river, and many hiking and cycling trails offer views.

Accessibility and rules

As a medieval fortress, the castle is not accessible for wheelchairs. Dogs are not allowed. Photos are for private use only, and drones are banned.