This is Burg Eltz, a medieval castle tucked away in a forested valley near the Moselle River in Germany. Since the 12th century, the Eltz family has owned and lived in this castle for over 800 consecutive years—now spanning 33 generations—without it ever once being sold.
While inheritance typically splits properties up, three branches of the family decided to share the castle through a co-ownership system called *Ganerbenschaft*. This unique arrangement is why the building features a fascinating mix of architectural styles from entirely different eras.
Thanks to its hidden location and some highly clever diplomacy by the family, Burg Eltz managed to survive the wars and conflicts that destroyed so many other European castles. Today, descendants of the Eltz family still live in private sections of the castle, while the rest is open to the public as a museum.