Rheinfels Castle, Medieval fortress in Sankt Goar, Germany
Rheinfels Castle is a fortification built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Rhine, featuring defensive towers, thick stone walls, and interconnected underground passages. The site spans multiple levels and demonstrates how defensive design evolved across different time periods.
The fortification was founded in 1245 and grew into the region's largest defensive structure by the 16th century. Military advances eventually made it less important, and parts of it were destroyed in later conflicts.
The name Rheinfels, "Rhine rock", was standardised only in the second half of the 18th century after centuries of varying spellings. The castle began as a toll station: Diether V of Katzenelnbogen built it in 1245 to levy dues on ships sailing up the Rhine, and from 1360 to 1371 the opposite castle Katz added the St. Goar double toll on downstream traffic. In peacetime 300 to 600 people lived inside; during a siege the number could reach 4,500.
The site can be explored on foot with marked pathways through the ruins and down to the underground areas. Plan for several hours to visit the different sections and enjoy the views across the river valley.
The vaulted cellar beneath the castle, arched over in 1587–1589, is 24 metres long, about 16 metres wide and high, with walls up to 4 metres thick. It once held a 200,000-litre wine barrel and now hosts concerts and theatre performances.
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