We always love visiting old castles and palaces such as Heidelberg Castle or Eltz Castle in Germany. On our day trip to Bad Münstereifel, we made a short stopover in the municipality of Mechernich, as this is a great destination in the Eifel region and also a wonderful photo opportunity: the moated castle of Satzvey.
Table of contents
Interesting facts about Satzvey Castle
Satzvey Castle is located in the North Rhine-Westphalian municipality of Mechernich, in the district of Euskirchen, on the edge of the Eifel. It is located in the middle of a picturesque meadow landscape on the Veybach, which also gave it its name. The moated castle is considered one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the Rhineland and is now both an architectural monument and a cultural venue. Its location near important trade and military routes made it strategically important as early as the Middle Ages. Surrounded by moats and well-tended green areas, it is a vivid example of typical castle construction in this region.
The first documentary mention of Satzvey Castle dates back to 1396, but it is assumed that the foundation walls of the castle house are even older, when a fortified courtyard was first mentioned on this site. The complex took on its present form mainly in the 14. and In the 15th century, it was expanded into a fortified moated castle. Over the centuries, it has been owned by several noble families. Today, it is known far beyond the region for historical markets, jousting tournaments and cultural events that bring the medieval atmosphere back to life.
Satzvey moated castle in the Eifel
The location of Satzvey Castle
Satzvey Castle is located in the small village of Satzvey in the district of Euskirchen, on the north-western edge of the Eifel, picturesquely embedded in the floodplain landscape of the Veybach (location in Google Maps).
Satzvey Castle is located in the municipality of Mechernich in the district of Euskirchen
Major cities in the region are easily accessible from its location: Cologne is around 45 kilometers to the north, Bonn around 50 kilometers to the northeast and Aachen around 65 kilometers to the west.
Location of Satzvey Castle in the Eifel
Admission, opening times & events
The castle grounds and inner courtyard can generally be visited free of charge. Regular public tours are offered at weekends and on public holidays between 1 and 4 pm (with a minimum of 5 adults). Admission is EUR 5 per adult and EUR 3 for children aged 4-12. Children under 4 years are free of charge. Individual tours with less than one person cost a flat rate of EUR 25.
Satzvey Castle has been owned by the von und zu Gymnich family since the 1970s, who not only live there but also organize the preservation and cultural use of the site. The inhabited part of the castle is therefore not open to the public. The castle is also a lively venue for events throughout the year, with knights’ games, witches’ nights, murder mystery nights and magical Christmas markets.
Satzvey Castle
Satzvey Castle
Entering through the double-towered gatehouse, a paved courtyard opens up, framed by the main castle, the farm buildings and parts of the outer bailey. The complex is surrounded by a wide moat, which can be reached via a bridge.
The main building of the core castle consists of the multi-storey residential building with its characteristic stepped gables, slate roofs and natural stone walls. There are also towers with pointed helmets, battlements and extensions that have been added over the centuries. The outer bailey used to house stables, workshops and storage rooms, some of which are now used as event and exhibition spaces. Thanks to the well-preserved architecture and the enclosed courtyard, the castle conveys an authentic impression of what a fortified and representative aristocratic residence in the Eifel of the late Middle Ages looked like.
Is a visit to Satzvey Castle worthwhile?
Yes, definitely. The moated castle is one of the best-preserved medieval moated castles in the Rhineland and impresses with its authentic buildings – with the original castle house, double-towered gatehouse and battlements – which date back to the 12th century.
We thought it was great that access to the castle is generally free of charge and also makes a great photo opportunity ❤