ROMANTIK HOTEL SCHLOSS RHEINFELS
Rhine Castle Hotel Medieval Ruins at the Loreley
The Romantik Hotel Castle Rheinfels is a charming 4-star Superior hotel within the gates of the castle, integrated into its walls, but not part of the medieval construction, and set on a vantage just above the village of St Goar, overlooking the mighty Rhine and the famed Loreley (see Loreley Rhine Legend). This family run hotel with an elegant and comfortable atmosphere is one of the charms of the region, with three restaurants and cozy pubs, situated perfectly for exploring the world heritage area of the river and is one of the top destinations for leisure and business travelers to St Goar. The hotel’s 64 rooms, suites and hotel apartments are located in the original castle hotel and the later addition of the Villa Rheinfels, all decorated throughout with antiques and paintings to evoke the romantic traditions of the Rhine, with the updated amenities of a superior destination hotel.
The Castle of Rheinfels is the largest medieval fortress in the area of the middle Rhine, just opposite the Loreley. The massive ruins spread along the hillside where the road from the flat plains of the Palatine cuts to the river at St Goar. A castle had been on the site since Roman times, and before, but the current form of the medieval castle was built in 1245 by Dieter V of Katzenelnbogen, and was in its heyday, the most important fortress on the Rhine. Its position guarded the land approach from the west and served as a tariff collection point for the cargo shipping on the river carrying portage around the treacherous shallows of the Loreley.
Dieter’s claim to toll was challenged by city states along the river and in its most famous incident, the castle was assaulted.by an army of 8,000 soldiers and 1,000 mounted knights from 50 ships in a siege which lasted for a year and three months, but with the castle remaining steadfast. Since then, it was considered impregnable for the next 450 years, until the French wave under Napoleon swept across the Palatine with their cannons in 1794. The Landgrave of Hesse-Rhine had raised St Goar to a prominent cultural center of the region and rather than risk the battle of a war, the castle of Rheinfels was surrendered without a fight. It was destroyed by the French and remains the ruin seen today, one of the romantic ruins written of by Romantic poet Lord Byron in his Childe Harold. St. Goar remained under French administration until 1813, then became part of Prussia in 1815.
The hotel offers fine gourmet dining at the “Silcher Stuben” with reservation only, and the “Auf Scharffeneck" Restaurant with its conservatory of glass windows overlooking the Rhine and landscaped Winter Garden. The castle tavern, “The Landgrave” which takes its name from the last noble owner of the castle offers a cozy setting with piano and river views in good weather on the Rhine Terrace, and below is the more rustic “De Backes” pub and cigar lounge which captures the atmosphere of river sailors of the past. For events, the hotel has Germany’s largest vaulted wine cellar and the Art Nouveau villa for meeting space. In the wellness area, the up-to-date gym equipment, spa and sauna replace the torture devices of the dungeon.
Visiting Castle Rheinfels
Admission to the castle ruins is €4 for adults, €2 for children, with a family ticket of €10. Access to the castle ruins of Rheinfels is included for free as a hotel guest. Wander the walls and tunnels of the massive ruin, or arrange for a tour of the Rhine UNESCO Heritage region of castles and wine vineyards. Arrange for a pick up from St Goar in the vintage limousines. © Bargain
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Schloss Rheinfels
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See Also:
RHEINGAU WINE MUSEUM - RÜDESHEIM
