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Fort Fort · Biosphere Bliesgau · 246 m open today

Merburg

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  • Merburg in Kirrberg, Homburg, 2020, Eike Dubois
    Merburg in Kirrberg, Homburg, 2020, Eike Dubois
    Photo: Eike Dubois, CC BY, Saarpfalz-Touristik, Eike Dubois

Idyllically situated on the edge of the Lambsbach Valley, Merburg Castle near Kirrberg. This valley castle is situated just 12 metres above the water level of the stream on a sandstone block, the Malafels. It is one of the smallest castles in the Saarland and its historical remains were excavated and restored between 1975 and 1980.

The remains of the former keep and the inner castle wall can still be recognised.

The following legend has been passed down through the generations in Kirrberg about the Merburg and the Malafels: In ancient times, a villain was up to mischief on the Malafels above the Lambsbach. This rough fellow was popularly known as "Knight Mala". Whether he actually existed is disputed, Mala is certainly a legendary figure, but there is a grain of truth in every legend.

The small Merburg castle, situated low above the valley floor of the Lambsbach stream, nevertheless proves to be a complex fortification with a sturdy octagonal keep, which measured at least 10 metres in height according to the thickness of its walls, with a solid, certainly two-storey house and an inner ring of walls. The castle was surrounded on two sides by marshy meadows, while the third side was protected by a moat. A second moat protected the outer bailey, which was located towards Kirrberg.

Merburg Castle existed until the 11th century AD. It was the predecessor of Hohenburg Castle on Homburg Castle Hill, which from then on served as the residence of the Counts of Homburg.

In the immediate neighbourhood is a small fishing pond, the Merwoog, with its own fishing hut. The grounds with their seating invite you to linger and catch the warming rays of sunshine. A visit to the castle can easily be combined with a short hike. Cyclists can find Merburg Castle via the Lambsbach Tour through the valley of the same name from Homburg City Park via Karlsberg Castle.

The longest route, the "Karlsberg Tour" of the Homburg Nordic Walking Park, also leads past Merburg Castle. It is a challenging tour. The route leads past the fish pond and the Merburg castle to the Karlsberg with its historical sights such as the Tosbecken, menagerie and orangery. At the idyllically situated Karlsberg pond, the rocky path and later wider paths lead back to the Waldstadion.

Along the way, the views of Homburg and the forest park are constantly changing and provide wonderful and charming impressions.

Opening times

open today
Monday00:00–24:00
Tuesday00:00–24:00
Wednesday00:00–24:00
Thursday00:00–24:00
Friday00:00–24:00
Saturday00:00–24:00
Sunday00:00–24:00

Directions

Sie können an der Fischerhütte Kirrberg parken oder aber besser am Wanderparkplatz am Marienbild, wenn Sie aus der Collingstraße in Kirrberg her kommen.

Coordinates

DD
49.312415, 7.376000
DMS
49°18'44.7"N 7°22'33.6"E
UTM
32U 381963 5463455
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Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

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Merburg

Website Phone

Collingstraße anschl. links bis Wanderparkplatz
66424 Homburg
+49 6841 101820 https://www.homburg.de/index.php/tourismus-neu E-mail: touristik@homburg.de
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Maps and trails
Hiking Trail · Bliesgau
Rabenhorst loop
recommended route Difficulty T1 easy
Distance 5 km
Duration 1:15 h
Ascent 43 m
Descent 43 m

A moderately difficult and forest-rich route of about 5 km in length with wonderful trail guidance past the Lambsbach stream and Celtic relics.

4
from Katrin Thieser,   Saarpfalz-Touristik
Hiking Trail · Saarland
Schlossberg route
recommended route Difficulty T1 difficult Open
Distance 13.9 km
Duration 4:30 h
Ascent 340 m
Descent 340 m

A wonderfully shady and historically rich route of about 14.6 km length through the Homburg forest with the so-called WaldPark Schloss Karlsberg, ...

4.7
from Frank Polotzek,   Saarpfalz-Touristik
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