Schönburg, Medieval castle in Oberwesel, Germany
Schönburg is a fortress perched on a hilltop in Oberwesel at 174 meters elevation, overlooking the Middle Rhine valley and its river. The stone structure contains rooms now used as hotel accommodations, along with medieval walls and fortifications that date from the early castle period.
The fortress was founded by the Lords of Schönburg, who established their seat there around the 10th century and controlled customs rights on the Rhine. After French forces destroyed it in 1689, the castle lay in ruins for roughly 200 years before a German-American family undertook its restoration.
The fortress embodies medieval German building traditions and serves as a hotel while keeping its original layout intact. Guests experience spaces that once housed the nobility who controlled this stretch of the Rhine.
The site offers both visits and overnight stays in around thirty guest rooms within the castle walls. Access to the hilltop varies depending on the approach, with some paths steeper than others.
During its long period of ruin, the castle became a romantic subject for artists and writers who sought to capture the decaying fortress along the Rhine. This artistic fascination with its abandoned state made the site a noted landmark even before restoration work began.
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