Ladee's Travels: Rhein River, Germany - Castles Rheinstein to Nollig

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Rhein River, Germany - Castles Rheinstein to Nollig

The next part of the river is pretty exciting. I took some photos from inside and then bundled up and went to the top desk to take the rest. I have a map in hand and each time they name the castle, ruin, town, I point and photograph the map. I will do the first one but will leave the rest out and use them only for my reference with posting. This leg of the trip will run in several posts and will include the wine fields on the hills and pretty towns.

I think that if they are marked "Burg", they are visitable. Burg is a castle or fortress (in German). Towns grew up around them and the whole thing soon became known as Burgs (in some places.

The first castle is Burg Rheinstein. It was important for it's strategic location, constructed around 1316, fell in to decline, was purchased by Prince Frederick of Prussia and rebuilt. It has a working drawbridge (STOP, let's go see this) and defense. It is open to the public March through November.

Burg Reichenstein, also known as Falkenburg. The town is Trechtingshausen. Built in 1200s, destroyed, had several owners and then in 1834 was bought by Franz Wilhelm von Barfuss and restoration began. The Kirsch-Puricelli family purchased in 1899 and finished the restoration. The current owner is a direct descendant. Open February through December. Large collection of cast iron plates, hunting trophies, arms, weapons, porcelain and furniture from five centuries.

Burg Sooneck is located near the village of Niederheimbach. First mentioned around 1271. In 1834 the crown prince of Prussia and his brothers bought the completely derelict castle to be a hunting lodge although it was never used as one because of family disputes. It is open for organized tours. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sooneck_Castle. Paintings and furniture.