Jugendburg

A Jugendburg, sometimes referred to in English as a youth castle, is a medieval castle in German-speaking countries that was converted during the 20th century into a public community centre or educational facility for young people. The sponsors of the original youth castles came mainly from the Wandervogel and Pfadfinder movement, or were at least linked to the youth movement.

Terminology

The term Jugendburg originally referred to the use of castles (Burgen) by young people (Jugend).

The difference between Jugendburgen in this historical sense and Jugendburgen in the sense of castles that were used as youth hostels, for example run by the German Youth Hostel Association, is disputed. For example, youth hostels had already emerged in the early 20th century in the wake of the youth movement (Jugendbewegung) as accommodation for young men, youth groups and school classes. And as early as 1912 the first German youth hostel was established by Richard Schirrmann at Altena Castle (it was rebuilt from 1906 to 1915) above the town of Altena. During the Nazi era youth castles were used by the Hitler Youth and the League of German Girls, and the term was increasingly associated with Nazi ideology. From 1935 to 1943 there was also a schoolchildren's magazine with the title Deutsche Jugendburg ("German Youth Castle"), which was published by the National Socialist Teachers League.

Jugendburgen in the youth movement

In connexion with Jugendburgen one frequently comes across the names Gustav Wyneken, Robert Oelbermann and Karl Oelbermann.

In 1910, the progressive educationalist, Gustav Wyneken, was the chairman of the Bund für freie Schulgemeinden and publisher of its magazine.