Burg Stahleck

With the investiture of Count Hermann of Stahleck with the County Palatine on the Rhine in 1142/43, the rise of the town of Bacharach and Burg Stahleck begins. Over time, the castle is expanded to become one of the strongest fortifications on the Middle Rhine. The town of Bacharach becomes the center of power of the Rhenish County Palatine for the following centuries. Although Burg Stahleck was also heavily damaged during the Thirty Years' War, the strong emotional attachment of the Counts Palatine led to the reconstruction of the palace building in 1666. During the Palatine War of Succession, the complex was finally blown up by French troops in 1689 and remained in ruins. It wasn't until 1925 that Burg Stahleck was rebuilt according to historical models. Today, it houses one of the most beautiful youth hostels in Germany.