CASTLE SOONECK ON THE RHINE
Robber Knight Castle at Trechtingshausen
The
castle of Burg Sooneck is one of the “Robber Knights” fortresses
along the western shore of the Middle Rhine, just north of Bingen, the
third in line along the road after Castle Rheinstein (see Knights
Watch Rheinstein)
and Castle Reichenstein (see Headless
Knight Reichenstein). Another impressive
medieval edifice built originally in
the early 11th
century and destroyed on two separate occasions, first when it was a fortress
of the barons who forced tithes from the passages along the river in the
13th Century, like its neighbor Reichenstein. Besieged and sacked by the
forces of King Rudolph of Bavaria in 1282. The castle was rebuilt and given
to supporters of the Austrian Habsburgs. The castle was again destroyed
by the French troops of Louis XIV, in their march through Germany in 1689
in the War of Palatine Succession (see Castle
Hardenburg), which saw
many of the castles in this part of Germany put to the torch and cannon.
In the 18th Century the castle and its property was under the control of
the Bishops of Mainz (see Mainz
Cathedral) and was leased to residents
of the village of Trechtingshausen, who planted vineyards below.
Castle Sooneck History
The
castle was rebuilt like its two near neighbors in the 1800’s,
as a hunting retreat during the romantic period of gothic revival by the
Prussian Crown Prince Frederich Wilhelm I, with construction from 1834
until 1861. The reconstruction was overseen by the architect Carl Schnitzler,
with the historical medieval form mostly retained with the addition of
some buildings, and arched romanticized battlements and turrets in neo-gothic
style. The Prussian royal crest seen over the north gate is from this period
in the castle’s history. After the German uprisings and reorganization
of 1848, the castle fell into public hands and became a state property,
never really serving its purpose as a royal hunting lodge.
The
most distinctive feature of Burg Sooneck is its single high tower, which
provided a look out along the river for passing commerce to be raided
and taxed when it was under the control of Hohenfels. The interior rooms
of the castle have been impressively refurnished in the style of its 19th
Century revival. The interior rooms can only be seen with a guided tour,
which runs every 15 minutes when busy, though longer intervals when visitors
are fewer. The Castle Sooneck has a burgschrank refreshment café,
however providing a view of its other distinctive and rather unfortunate
feature. Directly next to the medieval castle is an active open mining
pit of modern times, also called Sooneck - a great scar on the mountain
slope of the Rhine with heavy machines scraping the earth, not the most
authentic accompaniment to the Rhine Castle experience.
Visiting Castle Sooneck
Burg
Sooneck is reached by a road from just north of Trechtingshausen through
the grape vineyards to a parking area, then a five minute walk
through the woods which shield it from view until upon it. It can also
be reached by foot trail, from the village train station on the DB rail
line between Mainz and Koblenz (see Middle Rhine Train), though it is a
father hike then either Rheinstein or Reichenstein. The castle is open
Tuesday
to Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm April to September and 9 am to 5 pm October
to March, closed in December. Adult admission including the guided is a
very modest €2.60 with reduction price of €1.30, youth and seniors. © Bargain
Travel Europe
Reviews and travel deals on the Rhine
River at TripAdvisor
Web Info
Sooneck Burgen
(German)
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See Also:
RÜDESHEIMER COFFEE ON THE RHINE
SIEGFRIED'S MECHANISCHES MUSIKKABINETT
RHINE CASTLES EHRENFELS AND THE MOUSE TOWER
BROMSERBURG CASTLE WINE MUSEUM
SCHONBURG RHINE RIVER CASTLE HOTEL
RHINE & MOSEL WINE FESTIVALS BY RAIL
