Manderscheid Lower Castle (Niederburg) was first mentioned in 1133, when it started to be built as an outer bailey of the Upper Castle. The Upper Castle was then held by Richard von Manderscheid as a fief from Henry IV, Count of Luxembourg. Around 1146 a feud started between Henry IV and Albero de Montreuil, Archbishop of Trier, and Albero besieged the Upper Castle and took it from Henry. After peace was settled the Archbishop was allowed to keep the castle. The Lords of Manderscheid then settled on the Lower Castle. The Lower Castle was then built up to become a full castle on its own.
Between 1346 and 1348 the Lower Castle was unsuccessfully besieged by Baldwin of Luxembourg, Archbishop-Elector of Trier, and William V, Duke of Jülich. Up until 1427 the damaged castle was being rebuilt by Dietrich I von Manderscheid. In 1457 the Manderscheid family were elevated to Counts by the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick III.
In 1673 the Lower Castle was badly damaged by the French troops of Louis XIV. This started the decay of the castle, although it was still inhabited in 1794. Then the French revolutionary troops invaded the region. They found the castle empty, as the inhabitants had already fled to their lands in Bohemia. The French then destroyed the castle and, in the early 19th century, auctioned its ruin off for demolition.
The ruins of the Niederburg have been owned since 1899 by the Eifel Club and the club has slowly, but continually, restored them. They may be visited daily during the summer months. Guided group tours are also possible on request. The castle may also be booked for private events such as weddings. On the last weekend in August every year there is a medieval festival at the castle and the adjacent jousting field which receives about 15,000 visitors.
References:Vufflens castle was built in 1425 on the site of a previous medieval castle by Henri de Colombier. It is the most significant example of a small group of fortified Romandy castles from the middle ages, characterised above all by its brick construction. In 1530, it was set on fire by Bernese troops. In 1641 it was acquired by the de Senarclens family. The castle is currently privately owned and cannot be visited.
A pleasant 30 minute-walk through the vineyards between Vufflens-le-Château and Denens, offers a stunning view of this magnificent castle, the lake and the Mont-Blanc.