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Castle · Bacharach, Renânia-Palatinado
Burg Stahleck
12th-century castle on the hill above Bacharach, rebuilt in the 20th century and used as a youth hostel. The terrace overlooks the Rhine.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Burg Stahleck
Burg Stahleck dominates Bacharach from a rocky spur. It was probably built around the turn of the 11th to 12th century and is one of the oldest castles in the Médio Reno. The name mixes Old German words for "steel" and "spur", something like "impregnable castle on the hill".
The castle served as a toll station on the wine trade, which brought wealth to the town. During the Thirty Years' War it was besieged and captured eight times, and in 1689 French troops blew it up, along with towers of the town's wall.
The ruins were purchased in 1909 by a heritage preservation association, which from 1925 rebuilt the castle as a youth hostel. The work was completed in 1967 with the main tower. The moat on the mountain side, filled with water, is a rarity among German castles.
Because the hostel continues to operate, the interiors are not open to visitors. The courtyard and the large terrace, with views over the Rhine, the rooftops of Bacharach and the Wernerkapelle just below, can be seen by those who climb on foot.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 30 minutes to 1 hour, including the climb.
Best time
In the late afternoon, with the sun over the valley. The climb is more pleasant on dry days, as the path has sections of steps and stone.
How to get there
On foot from Bacharach town center, about 15 minutes' climb via the staircase that passes the Wernerkapelle. By car, a road climbs up to the castle through the Steeg valley.
Tip
Combine it with the Wernerkapelle, which is on the way. Respect the hostel's routine: the interior is reserved for guests. If you want to sleep in a castle you can book a room at the hostel itself.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Burg Stahleck
Can you visit the interior of the castle?
No. The castle functions as a youth hostel, and only the courtyard and terrace are accessible to visitors.
How do you get up to the castle?
On foot, via a stairway from the center in about 15 minutes, passing the Wernerkapelle.
Is the castle original?
The medieval ruins were reconstructed between 1925 and 1967. The layout and parts of the walls are original.