Stay 
Lake Twistesee
approx. 300 m
The reservoir was inaugurated in 1981; its dam lies right at the edge of Wetterburg.
Photo: Hubert Berberich (HubiB), CC BY-SA 3.0
Wetterburg near Bad Arolsen: holiday flat in a historic castle building by Lake Twistesee
In 1306 Count Henry IV of Waldeck had the Wetterburg built on a rocky spur here. What still stands today is the castle’s outer bailey – a stone building from 1576 with a half-timbered upper floor. According to the listing, it houses a holiday apartment of around 130 m² with a fireplace, just a few hundred metres from Lake Twistesee.
At a glance
- Location
- Wetterburg, a district of Bad Arolsen (Waldeck-Frankenberg, Hesse, Germany)
- Accommodation
- Holiday apartment, approx. 130 m², let by a private host
- Highlights
- Fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, living room, free Wi-Fi
- Guest rating
- 10/10 from 32 reviews on Expedia (as of 13 Oct 2026)
- Check-in & check-out
- Check-in from 5:00 pm · Check-out by 11:00 am
- Good to know
- Non-smoking · No pets · Stays must include a weekend
Living with 450 years of history
Only remains of the medieval castle are left – but its outer bailey has survived. The building was put up in 1576 as a stone house with an oriel and a half-timbered upper floor, and rebuilt after a fire in 1669. The village of Wetterburg grew up around it.
Between 1977 and 1984 the conservator Tamara Leszner restored the house using traditional craft techniques and saved it from decay. Further work on the timber frame and roof followed in 2012, 2016 and 2020. Today the building contains training rooms, a restaurant and – on the second floor – a holiday apartment.
For guests this means wooden beams and a fireplace instead of a hotel corridor, plus a restaurant in the same building. According to Expedia, the “Restaurant Die Wetterburg” is just a minute’s walk away.
Photos of Wetterburg
The history of the Wetterburg
- 1304 – Volkmarsen and the Kugelsburg castle are pledged to the Archbishop of Cologne, Henry II of Virneburg.
- 1306 – In response, Count Henry IV of Waldeck has the Wetterburg built on a rocky spur between the Aar and Twiste rivers. The archbishop feels provoked – a lawsuit and an arbitration follow.
- 1325 – Settlement: Cologne receives half of the castle. The shared ownership lasts until 1454.
- 1516 – The knight Götz von Berlichingen ambushes Count Philip II of Waldeck in front of the castle and kidnaps him for ransom. In 1518 the deed earns him his second imperial ban.
- 1576 – The outer bailey, the building that still stands today, is constructed.
- 1605 – The cartographer Wilhelm Dilich draws the castle with two residential buildings of almost equal size.
- 17th century – The castle falls into decay and is used as a quarry. In 1669 the outer bailey is rebuilt after a fire.
- 1801 – The gate tower collapses and is dismantled.
- 1977–1984 – Restoration of the outer bailey.
And there is a legend too: in the 19th century, the writer Ludwig Bechstein reported that the castle was haunted by “a ghost in the shape of a brandy barrel”.
Apartment features
The following details come from the Expedia listing (as of 13 Oct 2026).
Living
- Fireplace
- Living room and dining table
- Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
- Video games, books and board games
- Stereo
- Central heating and safe
Kitchen
- Stovetop, oven and microwave
- Dishwasher and fridge
- Toaster, kettle and blender
- Cookware, tableware and spices
Bathroom & laundry
- Bathtub
- Hairdryer
- Bed linen and towels provided
- Tumble dryer
Families & comfort
- High chair and travel cot
- Children’s books
- Free Wi-Fi (over 100 Mbit/s)
- On-site parking
Location: by Lake Twistesee in the Waldeck region
Wetterburg is a health resort and district of Bad Arolsen, just under 3 km east of the town centre. The castle ruin sits at the northern edge of the village, about 300 m from the dam of Lake Twistesee. The reservoir was built between 1973 and 1981 as flood protection after the great flood of 1965 and was inaugurated on 26 September 1981.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Distances (as the crow flies from the castle)
| Twistesee dam | approx. 300 m |
| Residenzschloss Arolsen (palace) | approx. 3 km |
| Volkmarsen | approx. 4.5 km |
| Kugelsburg (castle ruin near Volkmarsen) | approx. 5.5 km |
| Korbach | approx. 18 km |
| Schloss Waldeck | approx. 20 km |
| Lake Edersee | approx. 22 km |
| Kellerwald-Edersee National Park | approx. 25 km |
| Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, Kassel (UNESCO World Heritage) | approx. 25 km |
| Willingen (Upland) | approx. 33 km |
According to the listing, a car is recommended to get there. Kassel-Calden Airport is about a 28-minute drive away, according to Expedia.
Things to see nearby
Residenzschloss Arolsen
approx. 3 km
A baroque three-wing palace with an English garden – once the residence of the Princes of Waldeck and Pyrmont, still lived in by their descendants.
Photo: Stiftung des Fürstlichen Hauses Waldeck und Pyrmont, CC BY-SA 3.0
Kugelsburg
approx. 5.5 km
A castle ruin and the landmark of Volkmarsen – its pledge to Cologne in 1304 was the reason the Wetterburg was built.
Photo: Kno-Biesdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0
Schloss Waldeck
approx. 20 km
A 12th-century castle complex, later extended in palace style, in the town of Waldeck.
Photo: Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lake Edersee
approx. 22 km
One of the largest reservoirs in Germany; its dam wall was completed in 1914.
Photo: Membeth, CC0
Kellerwald-Edersee National Park
approx. 25 km
Its beech forests have been part of a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site since 2011.
Photo: Antiope05411, CC BY-SA 3.0
Tours & activities near Wetterburg
Experiences in the region that you can book online with Viator:
e-Scavenger hunt Paderborn: Explore the city at your own pace
Get to know Paderborn in a unique and affordable way. We offer you a self-guided tour, via our online App. You play a fun, family-friendly game …
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Kassel's Private City Walk through 1100 years
"Kassel is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany!" That's what a travel guide said at the beginning of the last century. This city tour gives …
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Marburg Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide
Welcome to Marburg, the university town of Germany. The meaning of this historic town is “Frontier Fortress” and it was named after the 11th-century …
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Kassel City Tour Unpacked Kassel with Hercules
Discover Kassel conveniently and informatively in up to 8 languages. With a break at Hercules Selfiepoint No.1. Duration of tour 2 : 15 hours …
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Explore Kassel's City Highlights with a Local
Join an exciting 60-minute walking journey through Kassel. Learn all the key facts about the city, dive into the local lifestyle, and feel its unique …
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Self-guided scavenger hunt and city game in Kassel
Enjoy a unique experience in Kassel directly with your smartphone. Let yourself be whisked away into the story of the Brothers Grimm, who lived in …
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Escape The City Paderborn City Walk With Puzzles
Are you planning a day out or weekend trip to Paderborn, then you can have a lot of fun with this city walk. An Escape game and city walk at the same …
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Marburg Self Guided Walking Tour Grimm Bros with Audio and Quiz
Discover Marburg's fairy-tale charm on this self-guided walking tour dedicated to the Brothers Grimm. With Ciceru's smartphone experience, no app …
View details ›Some descriptions are machine-translated.
Who is the Wetterburg for?
Families
A high chair, travel cot, children’s books and games are provided. Expedia lists the property as a “family-friendly castle”.
History lovers
A castle with a real feud behind it: an archbishop of Cologne, the counts of Waldeck and a raid by Götz von Berlichingen.
Nature & water
Lake Twistesee is on the doorstep. Lake Edersee and the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park are about 25 km away.
Fireside weekends
With a fireplace, wooden beams and a restaurant in the building, the apartment also suits quiet days in the colder months.
Good to know before you book
- You book through Expedia; the property is managed by its partner FeWo-direkt/Vrbo. After booking you receive an email from FeWo-direkt/Vrbo with a link to your account.
- The host is a private individual. The host’s cancellation policy applies; the EU right of withdrawal does not apply to this booking.
- At check-in, photo ID and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required. Cash is accepted.
- Extra guests may incur fees. Parties and group events are not allowed.
- Long-term stays are welcome.
Find available dates at Wetterburg
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay overnight in the Wetterburg?
Yes. A holiday apartment of around 130 m² can be booked on Expedia. According to the listing it is located in the Wetterburg – in the historic outer bailey building from 1576.
Is the Wetterburg a real castle?
The castle was built in 1306 by Count Henry IV of Waldeck and is a ruin today. What survives is the outer bailey, a stone building from 1576 with a half-timbered upper floor, rebuilt after a fire in 1669.
Are pets allowed in the apartment?
No. According to the listing, pets are not allowed at this property.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in from 5:00 pm, check-out by 11:00 am.
How far is the Wetterburg from Bad Arolsen?
The Residenzschloss palace in Bad Arolsen is about 3 km away as the crow flies.
Is there parking at the property?
Yes. According to the listing, parking is available on site. A car is recommended to get there.
Interior photos, available dates and all conditions can be found in the Expedia listing for the Wetterburg holiday apartment.
A night at the Wetterburg? See available dates and current prices on Expedia.
View on Expedia nowSources & image credits
Property details: Expedia listing (as of 13 Oct 2026); history and location: German Wikipedia articles “Wetterburg (Burganlage)”, “Wetterburg” and “Twistetalsperre”; distances calculated as the crow flies.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Wetterburg – D. Herdemerten (CC BY-SA 3.0) · The Wetterburg in 1605, drawn by Wilhelm Dilich – Wilhelm Dilich (public domain) · Lake Twistesee near Wetterburg – Kersti Nebelsiek (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Lake Twistesee – Hubert Berberich (HubiB) (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Residenzschloss Arolsen – Stiftung des Fürstlichen Hauses Waldeck und Pyrmont (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Kugelsburg – Kno-Biesdorf (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Schloss Waldeck – Carsten Steger (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Lake Edersee – Membeth (CC0) · Kellerwald-Edersee National Park – Antiope05411 (CC BY-SA 3.0).
All information without guarantee. Prices, availability and conditions may change – the details on Expedia apply.