The never completely demolished Marksburg remains to be the best preserved motte Castle in the whole of the middle Rhine Valley. It is an impressive pristine example of the castles built in the late middle ages. The outline of the wall of the crux of the castle, built at the beginning of the 13th century resembles the shape of a triangle.
In 1708 and 1934 the great Romanesque Hall (“Palas”), which is situated facing the north side, thus facing the tributary Valley and enemy lines, was intensively restored.

The slender square-shaped keep, built in 1239 is situated on the apex of the rock in the centre of the courtyard. Originally the 22m tall structure ended with a crenellated barrage platform. Only a few years later the characteristic Butter Vat Tower (“Butterfassturm”) was constructed on the top, the total height of the donjon now adding up to 39m.

In 1372 the vulnerable southern tip was reinforced by a polygonal-shaped barricade. It was named Chapel Tower (“Kapellenturm”) as it embodies the castles chapel. The Romanesque perimeter walls are well distinguishable from the river valley side, although being overhauled by the construction of the Rhine-Wing in 1706.

Approximately in 1435 an additional gothic Great Hall (“Palas”) reinforced with a shield wall, was erected on the eastern side of the premises. Originally a 6 x 24m representation hall was found in the basement and on the first floor. By the 16^th century a kitchen was built in the basement, which is still found there today.

The outer defensive fortification was constructed or expanded in various phases, so that one has to pass through four gates in total to enter the castle. By 1300 the castle was enclosed by an oval-shaped inner ward. Toward the end of the 14th century the construction of the northern and eastern outer bailey (“Zwinger”) was completed. At the beginning of the 15th century the defensive fortification was reinforced by a drawbridge as well as the construction of a half tower (“Schalenturm”) and an outer bailey facing the Rhine.

The Marksburg is also an excellent example of an attempt to extend a mediaeval castle into a fortress. Thus explaining the construction of the Great Battery (“Große Batterie”) located just above the smithy and overlooking the Rhine. Eventually towards the end of the 30 Year War around 1711, the corner Bastion and the Small Battery (“Kleine Batterie”) were completed.

The documentations of the castle done by Wilhelm Dilich (see above) show the condition of the building in 1607/08.They are of particular importance regarding the architectural history and the history of castles in general. Bodo Eberhardt, one of Germany’s most prestigious castle researchers and architects used these documentations to restore the castle in the 1900s.
At present the German Castle Association, whose head office is located in the castle, is trying to complete the restoration. The castle is gradually regaining its original late mediaeval appearance, distinguished by the coloured exterior plastering.