Where the Middle Ages come alive
A varied day in Altena - where the Middle Ages come alive.
In the middle of Altena's city center - which is a 10-minute walk from the train station - the adventure elevator takes you directly up to the Middle Ages, together with the lord of the castle, Count Diedrich, knights and other legendary figures - in just 30 seconds.
You reach the adventure elevator through a 90-meter-long adventure tunnel and are immediately transported to another time. Already at the entrance, Count Dietrich and Burghard the bat welcome the visitors and guide them through a world of fairy tales and legends - thanks to the interactive edutainment concept of the adventure elevator!
The Altena Castle
Once at the top, you find yourself in one of the most beautiful high-altitude castles in Germany. Burg Altena owes its international fame to the first permanent youth hostel in the world, which was inaugurated here in 1914. The castle has been preserved in its original condition to this day. Today, behind the thick castle walls, there is a museum where you can learn a lot about life in times gone by.
Throughout the year, various themed tours, events and workshops take place at Burg Altena and at the German Wire Museum, which is located just 300 meters below the castle. By the way, the entrance ticket for the castle museums is also valid for the German Wire Museum.
Arrival by bus and train:
Arrival by train: Altena (Westf.) station is served daily by the Ruhr-Sieg-Express RE16 and the Ruhr-Sieg-Bahn RB91 every 30 minutes.
How to get to Altena: Attention from Hagen: the train will be split in Letmathe. Make sure you are in the part that goes to Siegen via Altena. Otherwise, it will go to Iserlohn.
Departure from Altena: Trains heading to Hagen depart from Altena station at 5:18 a.m. (Sun. 6:18 a.m.) until 11:23 p.m. Trains heading to Siegen leave Altena from 6:40 a.m. until 11:40 p.m. Monday to Friday from 6:05. Saturday and Sunday there is still a train at 00:51 Uh.