Sooneck Castle, Medieval castle in Niederheimbach, Germany
Sooneck Castle is a fortress perched on a hill above the Rhine River with distinctive corner towers, a keep, and a great hall. The structure combines medieval design with later additions from the Romantic period.
The castle was built in the 11th century but was destroyed by King Rudolf I in 1282 during a conflict over river trade rights. Later, Emperor Charles IV allowed reconstruction in 1349, which led to the fortress being inhabited once more.
The rooms inside feature neo-Gothic and Biedermeier furnishings that reflect tastes from the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors can also see artworks and sketches connected to the Hohenzollern family, which shaped the castle's cultural identity.
Visits happen only through guided tours that run throughout the year and should be booked in advance. Wear comfortable shoes since the climb to the fortress is steep and the interior has many stairs.
In the 1770s, four people from Trechtingshausen started growing grapevines on the ruins and turned the abandoned fortress into a vineyard. This surprising use of the ruined grounds shows how locals found practical ways to make the land productive again.
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