Wartburg Castle is a notable structure near Eisenach, Saxe-Weimar, on an eminence rising 600 feet above the town, engirt by forests, founded in 1067, and till 1440 the residence of the Landgrave of Thuringia. It is famous as the spot where the Minnesingers assembled, probably in 1207, to hold their famed poetic contest known as the
Sangerkrieg or " battle of song." Among the renowned minstrels who participated, according to the unknown author of a poem written abont 1290 which described the contest, were Wolfram von Eschenbach, Heinrich von Ofterdingen. and Walther von der Vogelweide. This incident is celebrated in Wagner's Tannhauser. The Wartburg was also known as the home of St. Elizabeth (1207-1231); and as the 10 months' asylum to which Luther was carried by the Elector of Saxony (May, 1521). The chapel in which Luther preached, as well as the chamber which he occupied. and in which he discomfited the Evil One by throwing the inkstand at his head. is still pointed out. The whole pile has been magnificently restored since 1851.
