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Located in Sankt Goar, overlooking the enchanting Rhein River, the castle ruins of Rheinfels are soaked in history. This mighty fortress was built in 1245. For centuries, it stood strong, weathering sieges from attacking armies. Today it allows visitors to explore deep into its ruins. Other than a few Euro for admission, the only thing you need to bring is your imagination to summon dragons, thrones, kings, and knights!
The History
All is not lost, though. Because of its tumultuous history, and because Burg Rheinfels gives you free rein to check out the ruins, visitors can now explore the castle’s labyrinth of trenches, tunnels, and towers!
Visiting Rheinfels Castle: What to Expect
The first view you come to before the actual admissions window is a breathtaking sight! Right away you can understand why the Count chose this powerful spot on the Rhein and why others would want to have it. I could have stayed there all day and watched the boats go up and down the river, but I had castle ruins to explore.
When entering the castle, you first walk into the lively castle courtyard bakery. Centuries ago, this was where maidens would buy bread, doubling as a luxury hotel where a noble knight would spend a night.
Nowadays, the castle courtyard also has a very popular gift shop. Here, kids can can suit up and buy a wooden shield and sword to help combat any dragons they might face once crossing into the castle walls. Adults can wear the armor as well if they wish!
Entering the archway transports you to another time, when armor-clad kings and knights fought for thrones and some semblance of local power. The Burg Rheinfels ruins still are strong and powerful, even though the reasons it was built are long since passed. It is amazing to visit all the rooms and imagine what the once were. Especially cool is the castle’s cellar, which once stored food and wine since it stays so, well, cool. Today it is used for torch-lit weddings and other events!
It was incredible to be able to touch the original doors and see the peek-holes that were used to see if a visitor was a friend or foe knocking at the door. Now, visitors can walk right through the narrow arched walkways that have been used for centuries. (If those walls could talk!)
Next we went into the mines of Burg Rheinfels. It is advised to bring sturdy walking shoes and flashlights for the dark parts of the mines and their tunnels. The mines were thrilling, fascinating, and seemed endless! At times they are very dark and can be a tight fit, so beware. I tried to imagine what it must have been like for a centuries-ago guard on night watch to roam in the pitch-dark silence.
Once you emerge from the mines, you can climb high up on a platform or a tower and soak in the beautiful view again. Or you can go explore several more courtyards, or pretty much anywhere in the castle using the map that is provided. You will even come across a guillotine and an old well that was part of the original castle. Thanks to all the horror movies I have seen, I couldn’t decide which was creepier.
Rheinfels Castle is a magical place to visit and explore – by yourself, with friends, with family, and even with your dog (dogs are welcome). You are literally stepping into history and will emerge with a visceral understanding of what it felt like to live in this mighty castle while still enjoying the pure beauty of Germany’s Middle Rhein valley.
Castle Rheinfels Essentiels
Admission costs is €6 Euro for adults, €3 for children ages 6-14, and €4.50 for students. Family and group rates are available, so ask at the ticket counter.
Address: Schlossberg, 56329 St. Goar
By car, the castle is just under an hour west of Wiesbaden, 1 hour and 20 minutes north of Kaiserslautern and 2 hours and 45 minutes northwest of Stuttgart.
Author’s Profile: Gemma is a Jersey Broad Abroad living in Wiesbaden, Germany, and she is enjoying her extended European vacation.
