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CASTLE RHEINSTEIN
Knight's Watch Over the Rhine River

One of the first castles you reach traveling north from Bingen along the western shore of the wandering middle Rhine is Castle Rheinstein, which sits perched 270 feet above the river, perfect for it's 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.

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 and Hotel), but is well worth a visit for those in love with medieval life style 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 handed over to the Archbishop of Mainz (also see Mainz Cathedral and Culture) in the 1400's. It eventually fell into ruin, but was rediscovered and restored in the 1800's, like many of the castles along this part of the Rhine. In later restorations the castle has been decorated with stained glass, frescoes and a collection of art and furniture and contains a selection of armor pieces and and array of antlers adorning the walls. There is also a small outdoor café where after patrolling the battlement one can sip a glass on Rhine wine or milche caffe and contemplate the next melee assault of imperial knights errant on the errant neighbor knights of the castle next door.

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. By train or river cruise, get off at Trechtingshausen, about 30 minutes from Frankfurt/Main. © Bargain Travel Europe

Compare travel deals on the Rhine River at TripAdvisor

More Rhine Castles:
Rhine Castle Map
Burg Ehrenfels and Sooneck
Castle Marksburg
Philippsburg Castle

Get a German Rail Pass

For more romantic castle destinations see:
STONE AND GRAPES: THE CASTLES OF TRENTINO
and
SAVE ON A HONEYMOON IN ROMANTIC PRAGUE

These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission.

SEE ALSO:

BOPPARD ON THE RHINE
Wine and Loreley Touring Town

GESUNDHEIT AND CULTURE IN THE NUDE DAY SUN
Munich's Englischer Garten

ART AND AUGUSTINER
Castle Art Museum in the Bavarian Alps

RENAISSANCE ART
CASTELLO BUONCONSIGLIO - TRENTO

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