Altena: Castle and Witches

Origin of Altena dates back to the 10th century. The town was formed around a castle of the same name on the bank of the Lenne river. Dukedom of Altena-Mark was established in the 13th century and existed until 1609, when it was united with Prussia. The main attraction and monument of the town is its castle of Altena. It was built on the hill over the river in the 12th century and belonged to the counts of Mark. But since the 14th century no one lived here permanently. It hosted a military garrison, hostel for workers, hospital of the Knights of Malta. But in the beginning of the 20th century the castle was restored and ever since hosts a museum. It has exhibits from the history of the area and artifacts from various eras – from pre-historic times until the beginning of the 20th century. Magnificent views on the vicinity open from fairy-tale-like gothic towers. There is also a youth hostel in the Altena castle. It was opened in 1912 by an Altena school teacher Richard Schirrmann and became the first hostel in the world! Facilities were equipped according to the teacher’s plan. Furniture was ascetic: wooden bunk beds, simple wooden tables and benches. You don’t have to spend the night here, but just take a look at the interior. 

It is pure pleasure to wander around old town of Altena. Here you will find both medieval and newer houses. Standing out among them is the castle of Holzbrinck. It belonged to treasurer Georg Holzbrinck. The oldest part of the house dates back to the 16th century. In 1972 town authorities bought the building, restored it and turned into a cultural centre for conducting various concerts and events. You should pay special attention to the only museum of wire in the world (Deutsche Drahtmuseum). Its exhibits tell the story of how wire manufacture started in Altena and how it was used later. By the way, hawsers for the famous Golden Gates Bridge in San Francisco were made in Altena!

Another place of attraction in Altena is a de luxe cinema hall “Apollo”. It has been functioning since the 1920s and surprises with its comfort for which it has been awarded twice by the German Cinema Association! You will be served dishes of German cuisine in the lobby. However locals prefer to go to beer gardens. It is here that Sauerbraten is cooked the best. Sauerbraten is roasted marinated beef. Most frequent side dish to it is boiled potatoes but you might also get potato salad or potato “pancakes” that resemble Eastern European potato pancakes. Potato dishes are very popular here. No wonder that you can find dozens of ways to cook potatoes in the town restaurants! For dessert, without the slightest doubt, take German pie Butterkuchen with a crust of butter and sugar. It has been baked in this area for ages. Traditional butterkuchen is a rolled-out dough on the baking tray, sprinkled with butter petals, that melting in the oven form holes in the dough. Pie is sugared on top, making a wonderful sweet crust. In Westphalia it is common to sprinkle the pie with roasted almond flakes or sugar with cinnamon. Those who prefer non-sweat baked goods will like onion pies.

If you come to Altena at the end of April you can participate in a very unusual celebration – the Night of Witches. Folk and rock bands perform songs about strange things happening at night, competitions for the best witch costume and outfit are conducted. A procession of witches goes through the town, charms are sold in the streets. According to the local legends, it is at this time that dark creatures appear here at night and dance. In summer the market place inside the Altena fortress becomes busy, with performing musicians and townsfolk dressed in the 19th century clothes selling delicious food from stalls.

Altena is the town of steel wire, the first hostel in the world, an old castle and a small stalactite cave next to it. It is a small dot on the German map. However you can learn, see and try so many interesting things here!