The mysterious history of the oldest youth hostel in the world!

The mysterious history of the oldest youth hostel in the world!

Altena, North Rhine-Westphalia, is home to the oldest youth hostel in the world, housed within the historic walls of the castle of the same name. Richard Schirrmann, a teacher from the region, had the brilliant idea to found this hostel over 100 years ago - inspired by a thunderstorm that surprised him during a hike. The student, who was looking for a place to stay, finally found shelter in a school, which got him thinking about the importance of access to safe housing for travelers.

The first youth hostel opened its doors in 1914 and was a revolutionary institution that offered young people, regardless of their social and financial background, the opportunity to discover the world and experience community there. The German Youth Hostel Association was founded in this humble castle just five years later, reflecting Schirrmann's vision of offering adventure and memories to young people.

A look into history

Altena Castle, built in the 12th century, sits majestically on a mountain spur and originally served to protect iron production in the area. However, over the centuries it lost its importance and changed hands several times. Since 1943 it has belonged to the Altena district, which later became the Märkischer Kreis. Today, the castle not only offers an insight into bygone times, but has also developed into a popular destination for schools and school trips.

Visitors to Altena Castle can still experience what life was like in the world's oldest youth hostel. In the World Youth Hostel Museum you get authentic impressions of the historic company, with double-decker beds and straw mattresses that you can even try out. This gives a unique insight into the youth hostel lifestyle. The youth hostel may have been modernized, but Schirrmann's basic principles have remained noticeable to this day.

Altena Castle, which is worth seeing, invites you to visit and offers both exciting tours and the opportunity to relax in the castle courtyard and enjoy the surroundings. The following opening hours apply for entry to the museum:

• Öffnungszeiten: Dienstag bis Freitag von 9:30 bis 17 Uhr sowie Samstag, Sonntag und Feiertage von 11 bis 18 Uhr. Am Montag bleibt die Burg geschlossen.
• Eintrittspreise: Erwachsene 4,80 Euro und ermäßigte Personen 3,50 Euro.

Even today, Altena remains an important location for education and encounters, inspiring not only the past but also the future of travel. While the castle and youth hostel preserve a piece of history, Richard Schirrmann's original goal remains alive - to offer young people a platform to explore the world and make new friends.