Event: Germany

Knights Tournaments

When:	10 - 12 May 2008 (various dates)
Where:	Burg Satzvey
Costs:	€10-€19; 6-12 yrs €5-€14; under 6s free-€9
Opening Hours:	Daily from 12pm

The charming medieval castle of Burg Satzvey, near Bonn and Cologne, stages weekend Knights Tournaments. A Medieval market and entertainment in the form of jugglers, court jesters and music keeps the crowd happy.

The Euskirchen district is home to more castles than any other in Germany - two dozen just in the town that includes Burg Satzvey. Satzvey remains in the private hands of Count and Countess Beissel von Gymnich, and like enterprising country-house owners in Britain, they have sought to make their beautiful, 800 year-old Wasserburg ("water fortress") pay its way.

The medieval festival centres on the year 1229, when the long-running struggle between papacy and empire which struck Europe led Count von Gymnich to southern France to join a crusade against the Cathar heresy. While he was away, his scheming uncle used the occasion of his absence to set off local power struggles at Satzvey.

Recalling the ensuing battles, re-enactment groups stage jousting tournaments, archery competitions and sword fights. Two craft markets, jesters, dancers and numerous other activities offer less violent diversions.