Rheineck Castle was probably built in the 12th century. The sources name the count palatine Otto I of Salm as the founder. After his death, King Konrad III seized his estate and transferred it to his brother-in-law, Count Herman of Stahleck. This endeavour resulted in a bitter fight for the County Palatine of the Rhine - a conflict that culminated in the complete destruction of Rheineck Castle by the troops of the King in 1151. Rheineck Castle was rebuilt by the Archbishopric of Cologne by 1164 at the latest but did not, however, withstand the Palatine War of Succession in the 17th century. The Prussian politician von Bethmann-Hollweg inherited the ruin in 1832 and had the main building reconstructed together with the castle chapel. The latter represents a special feature, with its eight-sided design, which is reminiscent of the Carolingian Octagon of Aachen Cathedral. Today, the Castle is in private ownership and cannot be visited.
References:The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.
The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.
The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.
The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.