Photos courtesy of Hotel Burg Reichenstein
Although castle foundations suggest Reichenstein is at least a 1000 years old, documents only go back to 1213. At that time the von Bolanden family were named as castle bailiffs—a bad decision since they turned out to be among the most notorious of the Rhine’s feared robber barons. So disruptive were they to river traffic, the army of the League of Rhenish Cities laid siege to the castle and destroyed it.
Rebuilt, the new castellan, promising to behave, proved to be not much better than his predecessors, and he stole from the church besides. This time King Rudolf of Habsburg destroyed the castle in 1282.
For the next few hundred years possession of the castle remained contested between the electorates of Mainz and the Palatinate. After firearms were introduced to Europe (and the robber baron problem cleaned up), the castle lost its strategic importance and became a mere residence to various families.
Finally, in 1899, one of the wealthiest families in Germany, the Kirsch-Puricellis, took ownership and used their wealth to reconstruct the castle. Using old drawings of the foundation as a guide, they managed to rebuild a semblance of the original structure. The museum pieces are acquisitions made by Mrs. Olga Kirsch-Puricelli.
Pamela’s Perspective
As imposing a presence as Reichenstein appears, the hotel is unpretentious and modest. The museum is the emphasis here and not the hotel.
Hotel Burg Reichenstein
A 13th-century castle
Contact
Im Burgweg 25
D-55413 Trechtingshausen
am Rhein
Tel: ++49 (0) 6721 6101
Fax: ++49 (0) 6721 6198
Hotel website
Fast facts
10 rooms, including 2 single rooms and 8 doubles (not inside the castle proper)
Single rooms: 64 euros
Double rooms: 84–94 euros
Rates include breakfast, tax,
and service.
Open: March through mid- November; inquire hotel about New Year’s programs
Getting there
Trechtingshausen is on the west bank of the Rhine just north of Bingen, as the river turns the corner. A train station on the Koblenz-Bingen line is 500 meters from the hotel. With advance notice, the hotel will pick you up at the station.
What to do
On site: castle museum
Nearby: Rhine cruises; red
deer wildlife park
Weddings
Yes. Small chapel on premises.
If present day toll roads drive you mad, you can imagine the poor medieval traveler just trying to pass this small section of the Rhine River and having to pay a tax at over 30 tollgates!
Burg Reichenstein used to be one of the most infamous robber baron nests along the river, but nowadays, the only invasion forces you’ll see are from tour groups.
With only 10 rooms (cheery in decor and with Rhine views), the teeming hoards are kept to a minimum during the night hours. The guest rooms are not inside the castle but in a separate building on the grounds. During the day, the castle gives way to visitors inspecting the museum.
There’s certainly no shortage of areas in which to eat. Two rooms offer either intimate, candlelight dining or more casual family fare. An outdoor terrace with a view of the river is open when the weather is fine. For after that hard day of sightseeing, the castle’s beer garden may be just the answer.
Something special
Castle museum with an amazing array of suits of armor, weapons, and fine art