Ehrenfels Castle Ruins, Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany

Ehrenfels Castle was (re-)built about 1212 at the behest of the Archbishop of Mainz as a defensive work against the constant attacks by Elector Palatine Henry V, who, as Imperial vicar of Franconia, strived to cut down the archbishop's reach. Mainz staffed the castle with Burgmannen and erected a customs post controlling the shipping on the Rhine, supplemented by the Mouse Tower below at the river. Heavily damaged in the course of the Thirty Years' War, the castle was finally devastated by French troops under the command of Lieutenant General Nicolas Chalon du Bléduring the 1689 Siege of Mainz.

The ruin can be reached from Rüdesheim via a hiking trail through the vineyards. The interior however can only be visited in guided tours by prior appointment.

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User Reviews

Emilian Kavalski (4 years ago)
Scenic ruins in a picturesque setting

brent wheeler (4 years ago)
The castle ruins are great! Don't miss the wine hut just down the path.

Babar Rehman (4 years ago)
The hike is scenic and covers a lot of historic landmarks, it's a wine producing region so that is an added bonus

Hans-Viktor P (4 years ago)
High above the Rhine it's a great place to walk around through the vineyards

Chris Wyatt (6 years ago)
Very cool place, they have a cable car

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Ehrenfels Castle Ruins

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