Postage stamp: castles and palaces - Germany / Federal Republic of Germany 1977 - 60 Pfennig

A new series of permanent rolling press with depictions of German castles and palaces replaces the roller-type brand series "Accident Prevention". The postage stamps for 60 and 200 Pfennig, which appear as the first values ​​in this series with the inscription Deutsche Bundespost, come out at the same time and in the same motif as the inscription Deutsche Bundespost Berlin. The Marksburg, the only undestroyed hill castle on the Middle Rhine and one of the most beautiful German castles ever, lies on a steep slate rock above the right bank town of Braubach. On its slope Celtic settlement can be around 500 BC. Evidence (La Tène time). The fortification itself - at that time still »Burg Braubach« - was built around 1100 and was in 1231 as Palatinate fief possession of the Lords of Eppstein. In 1283 the castle came to the Counts of Katzenelnbogen, in 1479 they inherited the landgraves of Hesse, in 1803 they fell to Nassau. The German Castle Association acquired the Veste 1900 for 1,000 marks with the requirement to maintain it. Today, it illustrates the visitor the appearance of a medieval fortification and the life of that time as well as the development of defense. From the fortification of the lords of Braubach (around 1100) is probably the foundation of the keep. At the beginning of the 13th century, the Romanesque design was carried out by the Lords of Eppstein: the palace and the chapel tower were built. It was followed by the Gothic expansion by the Counts of Katzenelnbogen. Around 1350 and thereafter, the Gothic palace was added, and the chapel tower and keep were increased. Extensions were then still in the 18th century. Marksburg has always attracted painters. Here only Albrecht Dürer is mentioned, in whose sketchbook "Dutch Journey" also a contemporary impression of the Marksburg is mediated. (Text: excerpts from the texts of the German Castle Association e.V. Braubach - Dr. W. Avenarius)