The Rhine River Gorge: See the Castles!

If you love viewing castles and hearing interesting history and legends, consider a Rhine River cruise that will take you through the Rhine River Gorge!

The Rhine River Gorge is a 65 km (40 mile) stretch of the middle Rhine Valley that offers picturesque towns and 40 castles set in the landscape. 

Our cruise director narrated our passage through the Rhine River Gorge pointing out some of the castles and giving us bits of history and stories. 

Stolzenfels Castle

Stolzenfels Castle is a fortress castle turned into a palace.

This castle was destroyed by the French in 1689.

In 1802, the castle was given as a gift to Frederick William IV of Prussia who began rebuilding.

The main buildings and gardens were finished in 1842 and Frederick William inaugurated it as his new summer residence.

The castle now belongs to the state and is open to the public.

Marksburg Castle

Marksburg Castle, used for protection rather than a residence, is the only hilltop castle in the Middle Rhine Valley that has never been destroyed. 

Katz Castle

Katz Castle was first built around 1371.

Just down the Rhine from another castle, the antagonism between the owners resulted in nicknames of cat and mouse.

In German, they are known as Burg Katz and Burg Maus. Katz Castle is now privately owned and not open for visitors.

Pfalzgrafenstein Castle

Pfalzgrafenstein Castle is a toll castle. 

This castle was originally built to increase the toll revenue of the king. 

Because it stands alone, it was designed pentagonally to act as a wave and ice breaker.

Stahleck Castle

Stahleck Castle means 'impregnable castel on a crag'. 

Moats are rare in Germany, but this castle has a water-filled partial moat. 

The castle was destroyed in the 17th century. 

In the 20th century it was rebuilt and is now a hostel.

The Mouse Tower

The Mouse Tower, a stone tower built on a small island,  has fallen and been rebuilt numerous times since 968. 

The story of its name is a popular folk tale, yet with no historical evidence. 

"A cruel ruler used the tower to demand tax from passing ships. 

Archers and crossbowmen would shoot on the crew if they did not pay. 

During a famine in 974, the tower stored the grain of the ruler. 

Starving peasants became angry and planned a rebellion but the cruel ruler learned of this and devised his own plan. 

He promised to feed the hungry peasants and told them to wait in an empty barn for food to be brought to them. 

Once inside, the ruler had the barn locked and set on fire. 

As he listened to the cries of the dying peasants, he commented 'hear the mice squeak!' 

When the ruler returned to his castle, he was attacked by mice so he fled to his tower on the island, hoping to escape. 

The mice followed and those who survived crossing the river, ate through the tower doors and crawled up to the top floor where they killed the ruler. "

You can find these castles as well as many others with interesting history or other legends and stories as you sail the Rhine River Gorge.