About 40 kilometers from Dortmund is Altena Castle or Burg Altena, a medieval hill castle in the town of Altena in North Rhine-Westphalia. The castle was erected by counts in the early 12th century, before eventually being abandoned by them in favor of a residence elsewhere. This fairy-tale medieval castle then served military purposes under the Prussians before becoming, in 1912, the birthplace of the youth hostel movement. Come see the world’s first ever hostel, established more than 100 years ago, with its dark dorms and wooden triple bunks in the castle museum. View an exhibit on historic weapons and armor, check out the hunting room, then walk down to the river and enjoy the town views from the narrow streets. The museum is very interactive, and with super interesting exhibits, Burg Altena is a great place for the whole family.

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