CASTLE
RHEINSTEIN
Knight's Watch Castle On the Rhine River
One
of the first castles you reach traveling north from Bingen along the
western shore of the wandering UNESCO World Heritage Middle Rhine
is Castle Rheinstein (Burg Rheinstein), which sits perched on a rocky
cliff 270 feet above the river, perfectly suited for its original purpose
as a customs post to watch over the traffic traversing up and down
the river road. The Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph von Hapsburg lived in
the castle from 1282 to 1286 to gain control of the trade area from
the unruly robber knights of the area like the family of nearby Castle
Reichenstein. One of the well preserved castles though significantly
restored examples of the romantic Rhine, Rheinstein is not only the
easiest to reach from Frankfurt but an impressive one as well. 
Originally
called the "Konigstein" (King's Tower) when the
Kaiser was in possession of its tower battlements, Castle Rheinstein
has no hotel like its neighbor (see Reichenstein
Castle),
but is well worth a visit for those with a passion for with medieval
life and architecture. Crossing the drawbridge gate over the moat
and climbing the long way through towers and halls to the Knight's Hall
high in the stone structure, looking out the upper residence chamber
window to the river far below you get a sense in your bones of what
a knight's life must have been like. The romance of chivalry and
a
lonely watchful vigilance in your great high tower waiting for the
attack of your enemies. And no quick trips to the corner market for
a midnight snack.
The castle was originally constructed about 1316, but already in decline
when handed over to the Archbishop of Mainz (see Mainz
Cathedral and Culture) in the 1400's, already dilapidated
and disused by the time of the 30 Years War, falling into ruin. Inspired
by the writings of
Lord Byron, the Shelleys, who had traveled down the Rhine (see Follow
the Rhine by Rail) and inspiring paintings and engravings
by artists like William Turner. Rheinstein, known for its haunting
outlines, was
rediscovered by the aristocracy and restored, like many of the castles
along this part of the Rhine, in the romantic revival of the 1800's.
The castle and its property was bought by Prince Frederick of Prussia,
one of the Hohenzollern dynasty (see Berliner
Dom Hohenzollern Crypt) in 1823. 
With
the reconstruction from 1823-1825, following the designs of the famed
castle rebuilder architect Claudius Lassaulx, the castle was rechristened
with its new name meaning "Rhine Stone" . As a favorite country residence
of the prince, a nephew of King Frederick Wilhelm III, several European
crowned heads of the time were guests at the castle, including England’s
Queen Victoria and Empress Alexandra of Russia. In the neo-gothic
restorations of the 19th Century the castle was decorated with stained
glass, frescoes
and a collection of art and furniture, and now contains a selection
of armor pieces and an array of antlers adorning the walls. The apartments
are restored in rich detail, giving a view into the life of its royal
residents, rather than the medieval austerity of its early existence.Rheinstein Castle was a possession of the Hohezollerns up unto the mid-1970’s. The nearly abandoned ruin was going to be taken over by the Hare Krishnas, but was bought by the German Opera singer Hermann Hecher to preserve its history as a cultural monument of the Rhineland-Palatine. The castle is still managed by the Hecher family.
Visiting Castle Rheinstein
The castle and its museum are open daily March to November from 9:30
am to 6 pm, with the last admission 30 minutes from closing. From
November to February on Saturdays and Sundays 10 am to 5 pm. Admission
price
is € 4.50 for adults, €3 for children 5-13. Romantic Evening
Night Tour visits with a torch lit climb to the castle and drinks in
the garden are offered from March to November two or three days per
month for €12.50, with advance reservation required. A self-guided
IPhone app tour which can be downloaded for €3.99. The walk
to the castle takes a bit of a steep but brief uphill hike. The Little
Wine Prince Restaurant at the castle with views down to the Rhine
River
is open from Wednesday to Sunday 11 am to 6 pm. For the best photo op, walk behind the castle and follow the path to a little watch tower jutting from the hill.
To
reach Burg Rheinstein by car take the autobahn from Frankfurt, Mainz
or Mannheim and get off at Bingen. Cross the Bingerbrück and
head north along the western shore of the Rhine, there is a parking
lot
along the Rhine River Road below the castle. By train (see Middle-Rhine
Train) or river cruise, get off at Trechtingshausen,
about 30 minutes from Frankfurt, the the train stop is a bit of a walk.
The Roessler
Line Rhine Cruise stops at the pier just below the castle © Bargain
Travel Europe
Compare travel deals on the Rhine
River at TripAdvisor
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Burg
Rheinstein
Get
a German
Rail Pass
More Rhine
Castles:
Rhine Castle Map
Burg Ehrenfels and Mouse Turm
Burg
Sooneck
Castle
Marksburg
Philippsburg
Castle
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SEE ALSO
HOTEL KRONE ASSMANNSHAUSEN - RHINE
MUNICH'S ENGLISHER GARTEN
CASTLE ART MUSEUM
CASTELLO BUONCONSIGLIO - TRENTO
