Rheinstein, is a castle in the Middle Rhine valley, on the bank of the river of the same name ,Trechtingshausen community of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
the castle was built in the X century in the Middle Rhine valley. It was built on top of a hill and was originally of very strategic importance, But at present it is considered to be the date of foundation of 1316 or 1317. Reistein was first mentioned as the property of the Mainz Elector in 1323. It was probably built under the Archbishop of Mainz Peter von Aspelt (1306-1320) to control the ban on the restoration of the ruins of Reichenstein Castle, destroyed in 1286 by King Rudolf I of Habsburg and located downstream of the Rhine (Reichenstein was considered a haven for robbers who robbed merchants).
In 1330 the castle was expanded. Another reconstruction probably took place at the end of the 15th century, although the castle lost its strategic importance as early as 1344.
In 1815, following the results of the Congress of Vienna, the Rhine province came under the control of Prussia. In 1816, the ruins of the castle attracted the interest of the Prussian architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. He designed a romantic castle. In 1823, Prince Frederick of Prussia, enchanted by the beauty of the surrounding area, bought Rheinstein. He commissioned the reconstruction of the fortress to Johann Claudius von Lasso in 1825, and then to his successor, Wilhelm Kuhn. The interior design was developed by the architect from Dusseldorf Anton Schnitzler.
In 1973, Barbara Irina, Princess of Prussia, Duchess of Mecklenburg, put the castle up for sale.In 1975, the castle was acquired by the opera singer Hermann Hecher, who spent significant funds on restoration.
Burg Rheinstein has a drawbridge and portcullis, which were typical of castles with medieval architecture,The inner courtyard of the Rheinstein is known as the Burgundy Garden, alluding to the Burgundy vineyard that grows there. The vineyard, which is approximately 500 years old, still produces grapes.
From the garden, steps lead to the castle chapel. In the center of the Gothic altar, a wood engraving shows Jesus at the Last Supper. Between the rocks and the chapel, additional steps lead to the royal crypt of the Prince Federico Guillermo Luis family.
From the Burgundy Garden, another set of steps lead to the main part of the castle. Inside the castle, the Hall of the Knights or Rittersaal, is the largest and most impressive room in the castle, at the top of the staircase, it has beautiful stained glass windows, as well as three three-dimensional paintings.
Today the castle is an important tourist attraction in the Rhine Valley. During the summer, it is open to the public.
Access : Coordinates: 49.993694, 7.858428 / Rheinstein Castle located near the town of Trechtingshausen in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
Highlights :
- The castle owes its current impeccable appearance and status of an important cultural center to the opera singer Herman Hecher. Under his leadership, in 1975, the old castle was reconstructed and turned into a real cultural treasury.
- 1842, Prince Frederick’s favorite residence sees many crowned heads of the time who were invited there, including Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia and many others.
- In the crypt of the chapel in 1863, the Prussian prince Friedrich was buried, in 1882 his wife Princess Louise, and in 1902 their son Prince George.
- The Rheinstein now houses a café and a shop selling gifts and souvenirs, including handcrafted wooden miniatures.
- For visitors in the Rheinstein castle, they conduct not only daytime, but also very exciting night excursions.
Go next : The town of Trechtingshausen in Rhineland-Palatinate / The Biebrich Palace, is only 27.5 kilometers away / Bingen am Rhein is a city in Germany, in the state of Rhinel.and-Palatinate. It is part of the Mainz-Bingen region.
