Burg Reichenstein

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Burg Reichenstein is located at Trechtlinghausen near Bingen. Foundations date from the early eleventh century. Ludwig the Pious gifted the region to the abbey "Kornelimuenster". During the late twelfth century, the castellan was Rheinbodo. His son, Gerhard, ravaged the area until he was deposed. In 1241, Philipp von Hohenfels, also a vicious outlaw, became castellan. To thwart Philipp, the Archbishop of Mainz and the Rhenish town association destroyed Reichenstein in 1253. Philipp von Hohenfels promised good conduct, but strengthened Reichenstein and pillaged as before. The Archbishop of Mainz excommunicated him. In 1277, Dietrich von Hohenfels inherited the castle and continued his father’s depravity. When Rudolf of Habsburg became emperor, he commenced a campaign to be rid of the Rhine robber barons, and in 1282 he besieged Reichenstein, starving the garrison until it surrendered. In 1290, Reichenstein was burned, but Dietrich escaped. The king forbade Reichenstein’s rebuilding, but it was restored anyway. In 1344, Ludwig IV awarded Reichenstein to the Archbishop of Mainz, who leased it to Kuno von Falkenstein. During an Episcopal dispute in 1396, contra-bishop Gottfried von Leiningen took refuge at Reichenstein. With the advent of firearms Reichenstein fell into decay. The castle changed hands several time in the nineteenth century, and in 1899, Baron Kirsch-Puricelli commenced a restoration based both on old foundation drawings and on views of the castle from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Reichenstein was sold in 1987, and parts of the outer castle became a hotel. The centerpiece is a museum.

One of the castle legends concerns Kuno of Reichenstein, who loved Gerda of Rheinstein, and who gave her many gifts although he was poor. He gave her a beautiful Limousin horse, and she promised to be his bride. Kuno sent his wealthy old uncle, Kurt, to ask Gerda’s father for permission to marry. Kurt was unsavoury and disliked the virtuous Kuno. Kurt visited Gerda’s father, but requested Gerda for himself. Gerda’s father extolled Kurt’s virtues to Gerda, but Gerda was distraught. She professed her love for Kuno. Her father became furious that Gerda should wish to marry such a poor suitor. He ordered that she marry Kurt the next day, but she resolved to defy her father’s command. Crowds gathered for the ceremony, but Gerda did not dismount. When Kurt offered assistance, the Limousin bolted along the riverbank. Kurt gave chase. As Gerda spurred the horse on, Kuno opened his drawbridge at Reichenstein. Gerda and the Limousin clattered on to the bridge as Kurt slipped, fell and was killed. Gerda and Kuno married the next day.

There is a legend concerning Dietrich von Hohenfels, who, when captured and condemned to death by Rudolf of Hapsburg, begged the king to spare his nine sons. The king lined up Dietrich’s sons, and told Dietrich that if his decapitated body could rise and walk by his sons, they would be spared. Dietrich’s body completed the task, and the king kept his promise. To this day, Reichenstein is haunted by Dietrich’s headless ghost.