Castles in Rhineland-Palatinate
THE 10 BEST Rhineland-Palatinate Castles
Castles in Rhineland-Palatinate
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What travelers are saying
- Peggy TSingapore, Singapore1,136 contributionsCochem is a beautiful and serene place. It has a gem like city centre and castle. Walking or cruising along the river is relaxing. There are many restaurant too. Shops are unique.Written May 19, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Cinthya DPerris, CA1,474 contributionsThis is really a princess castle on a movie!
So beautiful and the tour is nice and well explained in english, they do not aloud pictures inside the castle, and is good, they maintain the spectacle for when you are there; that have a very nice place to enjoy classic German sausage’s and great coffee and dessert’sWritten May 26, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - HuskerTraveler2Lincoln, NE1,172 contributionsThe midevil Castle of your dreams. Well maintained. The 50 minute tour is somewhat arduous due to steep uneven stairs, very tight stairways (up and down), and rough hewn steps from the slate that compromises the mountain. Several steep blocks make up the inclined approach from the parking lot.
However, the well guided tours can be enjoyed by those of average agility. Incredible vistas of the Rhine far below await you as you enjoy a beverage on the patio.Written May 18, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Marty BielickiStuart, FL15,352 contributionsWe ferried from Bacharach to St. Goar, and found the small bus depot between the river and the main walking street of St. Goar. Taking the bus is about 2 Euros one way. A taxi could be had for twice the amount. If you have time, one could also walk up to the castle.
Rheinfels was once the largest castle along the Rhein region. It was big enough to withstand a 28,000 French army attack in the late 17th century. One of the main reasons it failed, as described on a display in the museum (English and German), is that a master woodturner shot a rifle bullet 200m and severely wounded the French leader, Marshal de Tallard.
Today, there is a hotel, a restaurant and a small museum inside the castle.
Later in the 18th century, the French did manage to take the castle and destroy large parts of the fortification. What you see is just a small part—five times less-- of the gigantic castle that once dominated over the Rhein River. Nevertheless, what you do see is interesting. Also, the views from the castle are magnificent overlooking the village of St. Goar and the Rhein River.
The fee is practically nominal to see the castle. We did enjoy the museum holding various artifacts from this castle which was built in the mid-thirteenth century. There is a model reconstruction inside the museum. At one time the walls were 13 feet thick and the tower 177 feet tall. This castle could hold over 4,000 people during a siege. During peacetime, the castle usually held 300 plus people.
We did not have any time for a tour. But, having a tour would be to your advantage on understanding more about the history and times of Schloss Rheinfels. If you found this review to be “helpful” in any way, please click “Thumbs-up” to let me know.Written December 8, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - gregsf11San Francisco, CA831 contributionsOne of the best on the Rhine, if not the best. You can go to the top and explore at your own pace. No guided tour and take pictures all you want. No parking at the top though. Park at the bottom and walk up a bunch of switchbacks. Great views especially from the highest tower.Written November 20, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- marycoonsHanover, MN269 contributionsFrom the mid 1200s, levying tolls along along the Rhine River was customary. The Stolzenfels Fort – constructed between 1242 and 1259 – perched high above the Rhine near Koblenz, Germany – collected river tolls until 1412. The French destroyed the 13th century fort in 1689 during the Palatinate War of Succession. After Napoleon’s defeat, Koblenz took possession of the ruins. The city then turned around, giving the site in 1823 to Prussian Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm, which at that point, was used as a quarry.
In 1836, Friedrich commissioned a well-known Berlin architect to rebuild and transform the fort into a castle. By 1842, the most important elements of the building are completed, and Friedrich Wilhelm – now king since 1840 – takes possession of the castle.
We are invited to attend the official opening with a grand costume ball along with dignitaries and other elite guests.
Dressed in our finest costume complete with masks, and women adorned in sparkling jewels, our carriage’s horses slowly clip clop up the steep snake-like path cutting through the dense forest greenery and underbrush. We first pass through the curved arch gatehouse where our carriage and horses will later be stabled until reaching the castle grounds.
Suspense rises to a crescendo as we alight from our carriage near the deer paddock and the walled and gated entrance overlooking a small, narrow moat.
We are unable to glimpse the Rhine River from this position – heightening our suspense – and eager for the touted spectacular view we’ve been promised. We must wait a bit longer!
Now inside the outer courtyard, we glimpse gardens and flowers abloom to our right. Before entering the inner courtyard, I want a closer view of the towering spire – one of two – that overlooks the river below. Dusk is not yet descending, and puffy clouds prevent full-on hot late day sunlight. A gentle breeze keeps me comfortable despite my heavy tapestry-laden gown.
As we enter the inner gatehouse, my eyes are drawn upward to the stunning gold painted ceiling mural of the softly arched ceiling. We are now front and center in the inner courtyard. Banquet tables laden with fruit and wine await us. Minstrels entertain us with their music. Flickering candles are everywhere brightening up the open-air space.
To our immediate right is a heavy wood door with stairs leading up to the king’s apartment, which we will hopefully see before the evening’s end. On the opposite side, we are told, are the kitchens, newly constructed now in the 14th century.
Goblets in hand of full-bodied red wine from the nearby Mosel Valley, we linger a bit before making our way through the colonnaded hallway, then down seven or so steps to a grand pergola garden.
It is a feast for the eyes! Taking center stage is a stunning water fountain bubbling over into a second larger cast iron fountain bowl. Colorful flowers surround the fountain while neatly manicured beds of greenery in various geometric shapes jut out in all directions. Overhead is a wooden pergola with grapevines twisting their way around the wood. Beyond the military turreted tower, I glimpse the blue of the Rhine.
We are encouraged – yet none is needed – to wander out to the perimeter garden where the Rhine River is in full view with the hamlet of Stolzenfels somewhere below us, and then visit the Rhine Terrace. Here I spot a life-size statue of an eagle rising high on a pedestal in yet another cast iron fountain dish.
Offering a stunning panoramic view of the valley, the Rhine Terrace is “dedicated entirely to the official representation, legitimization and glorification of the Prussian presence on the Rhine”, we are told, which is expressed in the figure of the eagle.
On the façade of the Great Hall behind us will be the freshly completed fresco (two years from now in 1844) depicting the river bank scene below the medieval castle. The historical setting, which took place in 1400, will show Archbishop Werner of Trier and other high-ranking dignitaries receiving the newly elected king of Prussia and his brother-in-law. “The immediate relation between the painting and the historical setting of the event it describes underlines the noble antecedents of the castle and its inhabitants,” states my handout.
We linger in the spacious Summer Hall with its striking blue and white tile walls and painted ceiling vault, as our wine is replenished and games are beginning. The hall is sparsely furnished as it has been designed as an open hall looking across the fountain and terrace flower beds to the Rhine Valley.
The sun has now set and the moon has risen. Stars blink in the night sky.
It is time to make our way inside to the Large Knights’ Hall for our banquet. This hall will host banquets, concerts and official speeches throughout the coming decades. It features Neo-Gothic double windows and wood-paneled half walls dotted with armor. A stunning stained glass window is a focal point.
After our delicious feast, we move into the smaller, more intimate Smaller Knights’ Hall for games. Its cross-ribbed ceiling has just begun having its frescoes painted. They will be completed in 1847 (remember, it is still 1842), and feature a six-part fresco scene of historically significant events and people. Themes are courage and fidelity, constancy and justice, four saints important to the Rhineland area, and a final wall dedicated to light-hearted Medieval virtues of song and courtly love.
We women carefully lift our skirts as we ascend the narrow staircase up to the music room – in 1846 it would become the royal family dining room – where the exquisite fortepiano is located.
The opposite side of the staircase leads to the queen’s apartments. (No photography was allowed here or in the king’s apartments, so photos are from the brochure.) The queen’s drawing room is one of the castle’s showpieces. The corner niche features warm dark wood paneling and wood carvings with an upholstered corner seat.
Sparing no expense, the exceptional inlay work on the octagonal table and throne-like chair are a testament to their wealth. Her royal bedroom has a four-poster bed and a luxurious Parisian ebony cabinet.
The king’s suite consists of a dressing room and drawing room with a large bay window looking out onto the Rhine. Opening up from the drawing room is his study and audience room. These rooms are sparsely furnished, but each features at least one notable piece, such as his writing cabinet and a classical French desk.
The anteroom follows. The king’s suite ends with his personal guest room with its four-poster Baroque-style bed.
A colorful yellow model scale of the castle is on display. Following our evening at the costume ball, the castle opened to the public. Ever since, Stolzenfels Castle has been regarded as the “epitome of Rhine Romanticism”.
The small castle – compared to others in the area – was expanded in the 1800s when its Gothic Revival features were added, which are obvious from the exterior. It became the summer residence of the king of Prussia. King Friedrich Wilhelm IV died in 1861.
After World War 1, the state took over Stolzenfels Castle and property. Following World War 2 – specifically in 1948 – it was assigned to the State of Rhineland-Palatinate Castle’s Administration.
Frustratedly, the signage to the castle was ridiculously small, and we nearly missed it. As you can see in the photo, a very small name is listed above the street sign. Why it would not be prominently displayed as a huge signboard is beyond me.
As I raise my goblet of Mosel Valley red wine, here’s hoping you enjoyed this evening’s costume ball and tour!Written August 7, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Adrian C20 contributionsThe former castle is now a hostel and the view from the courtyard is great. I don't know about the rooms, but if you are in Bacharach make sure to make the hike to the castle even only to chill, enjoy the view and drink a few beers at the restaurant.Written April 5, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Guido RLuxembourg City, Luxembourg725 contributionson the outside but also the reviving of the birth of democracy in germany , martin luther played a big roleWritten September 28, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Anya_sl84 contributionsMy favorite castle so far in the trip.. standing tall on hill top facing Mosselle valley.. on the slope there is a winery.. it’s one of the oldest castles in the valley and ticket is only 4.50€Written September 7, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kelly BIowa5,190 contributionsWe walked up to the burg from our airbnb across the river. It’s a bit of a hike up to the burg, but doable for most. You can either go up the narrow, steep road in back, or there’s a trail leading from the nearby church.
There are several overlooks near or on the castle, with views in all directions.
We also climbed to the top of the tower; it has a spiral staircase with 100 plus steps. The views from the top are gorgeous.
It’s free to visit! Not much to it, but it’s really interesting.Written March 6, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - chrislbowenWiesbaden, Germany321 contributionsWhile visiting Bad Durkheim, my Sister-in-Law heard about this place, so we decided to check it out, and we are glad that we did! The entry fee is only 4.50 Euro, but the museum alone is worth that. The castle itself is full of lots of passageways with great views of the surrounding area! It's a must-see castle, while in the area!Written March 2, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kelly BIowa5,190 contributionsWe visited in late October, and the drive (curvy and narrow roads) to get up to the parking lot for the castle was spectacular.
We parked in the lot, which is next to a restaurant. We then walked up to the castle. It is a bit steep, but very doable. The trail is nice and wide. It goes through the forest, so it’s pretty.
The castle itself isn’t very big, and for the most part the rooms are bare. It really doesn’t take long to walk through it. There are several flights of stairs to go to the different levels.
The view is great, and was the highlight for me.Written November 13, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - James HFrankfurt, Germany364 contributionsA bit hidden away in a forest with a bit of a drive to get there, but worth the visit. A bit of a hike up from the parking area, but the place is very well maintained and has good views. Simple food in the courtyard.Written September 26, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- 3wilddogsWestminster, CO139 contributionsWe didn't have time to go through the whole Eifel museum at the Genoveva Castle but it looked very well put together and would be educational for kids. I didn't go up the tower, but you would have a great view of the city if you did.Written May 1, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- wwall2011Opelika, AL55 contributionsI visited here with a girlfriend of mine from the US. We visited both museums. They were both very nice, and I loved being able to see a live axolotl. However, there was a barrier with the language and a lot of things were only in German, which is difficult to make out if you don’t speak German. the café nearby was open which is delicious. My friend got the pork spatzle and I got the chicken curry with pineapple. We split both dishes and they were both delicious as was the beer we had the wisen. The service was excellent as well.Written May 2, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
