Pfalzgrafenstein

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Shortened history of the castle:

Burg Pfalzgrafenstein is a toll castle on the Falkenau island, otherwise known as Pfalz Island in the Rhine river near Kaub, Germany. Known as "the Pfalz", this former stronghold is famous for its picturesque and unique setting.

Its keep, a pentagonal tower with its point upstream, was erected in 1326 by King Ludwig the Bavarian. Around the tower, a defensive hexagonal wall was built between 1338 to 1340. Later additions were made in 1607 and 1755, consisting of corner turrets, the gun bastion pointing upstream, and the characteristic baroque tower cap.

The castle functioned as a toll-collecting station that was not to be ignored, as it worked in concert with Burg Gutenfels and the fortified town of Kaub on the right side of the river. A chain across the river forced ships to submit, and uncooperative traders could be kept in the dungeon until a ransom was delivered, or simply drowned.

Unlike the vast majority of Rhine castles, "the Pfalz" was never conquered or destroyed, withstanding not only wars, but also the natural onslaughts of ice and floods by the river. Its quarters held about thirty soldiers.

The island of the castle was used for the Rhine crossing by 60,000 Prussian troops under Blücher in the winter of 1814 in his pursuit of Napoleon, which symbolized the end of Napoleon's presence on the german soil.

The castle was acquired by Prussia in 1866, and toll collections ceased ayear later. In 1946, the castle became property of the State of Rheinland–Pfalz.


Opening times and additionnal information:

January & February : Saturdays and Sundays, from 10am to 5pm
March : everyday (except Mondays) from 10 am to 5pm
April - October : everyday (except Mondays) from 10 am to 6pm
November : Saturdays and Sundays, from 10am to 5pm
December : closed

It is accessible to the public via a ferry service from nearby Kaub as long as river conditions permit.

Victor Hugo said about the castle that is was "A ship of stone, eternally afloat upon the Rhine, and eternally lying at anchor before the town of Pfalzgrafen"