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Altena Castle and Youth Hostel (Burg Altena and Jugendherberge) Germany JUN10 - 99
The history of Altena, a town in the district Märkischer Kreis, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany situated on the Lenne river valley, north of the Sauerland starts with the construction of the castle in the 12th century. It was the original seat of the Counts of the Mark, a junior line of the counts of Berg and Isenberg. In 1198 the Count of Altena bought the Oberhof Mark near Hamm. This became the family's main seat and thus also their title. The castle in Altena was only rarely used from that time.
The town's biggest attraction is the castle Burg Altena (Altena Castle). After being unused for centuries it was in ruins, although part of the buildings was used as a hospital. A complete reconstruction was undertaken in order to hold the celebrations of the 300th anniversary in 1909 of the incorporation of Mark into Prussia (Brandenburg) at this castle.
In 1912 the world's first youth hostel was created by Richard Schirrmann inside the castle. The old rooms are still on display, and new rooms inside the castle area are still part of the hostel now.
Above information extracted from wikipedia.
Castle website:
Altena Castle and Youth Hostel (Burg Altena and Jugendherberge) Germany JUN10 - 99
The history of Altena, a town in the district Märkischer Kreis, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany situated on the Lenne river valley, north of the Sauerland starts with the construction of the castle in the 12th century. It was the original seat of the Counts of the Mark, a junior line of the counts of Berg and Isenberg. In 1198 the Count of Altena bought the Oberhof Mark near Hamm. This became the family's main seat and thus also their title. The castle in Altena was only rarely used from that time.
The town's biggest attraction is the castle Burg Altena (Altena Castle). After being unused for centuries it was in ruins, although part of the buildings was used as a hospital. A complete reconstruction was undertaken in order to hold the celebrations of the 300th anniversary in 1909 of the incorporation of Mark into Prussia (Brandenburg) at this castle.
In 1912 the world's first youth hostel was created by Richard Schirrmann inside the castle. The old rooms are still on display, and new rooms inside the castle area are still part of the hostel now.
Above information extracted from wikipedia.
Castle website: