Friday, June 12, 2009

Burg Rheinstein



My Rheinstein Image at Imagekind

Burg Rheinstein sits on a rock outcrop between Bingerbrück and Trechtingshausen. First mentioned around 900AD, its early names included Vogtsburg and Feitsburg. In the thirteenth century it became a customs post. In 1279, it came into the possession of Kuno von Falkenstein, Archbishop of Trier. Between 1282 and 1286, it was occupied by Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph von Habsburg, who used it as a base for passing judgment on the local robber barons. He established the “Noble Knighthood”, and changed the castle name to Konigstein. From the fourteenth to the seventeenth century, the castle was leased by the Archbishopric of Mainz, and was used to protect the archbishopric’s territories. It fell into ruin after 1572, when it was declared unprofitable by Anton von Wiltberg, Chamberlain in Mainz. In 1823, it was sold to Prince Friedrich of Prussia, and between 1825 and 1829 it was rebuilt in neo-gothic style by architect, Claudius von Lassaulx. In 1975, it was sold by Barbara, Duchess of Mecklenburg to opera singer, Hermann Hecher, whose family, along with the "Freunde der Burg Rheinstein e.V.", continues to conserve it. It supports a collection of armour and sixteenth century art, and also boasts a drawbridge and portcullis. In the "Burgunder-Garden” is a grape vine that is five hundred years old. The Knight's Hall contains beautiful stained glass windows and reliefs.

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