Pfalzgrafenstein Castle

Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
Burg Pfalzgrafenstein
Kaub, Germany
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle as seen from the bank of the Rhine
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
Coordinates	50°04′59″N 7°45′57″E
Type	Toll castle, Island castle
Height	36m
Site information
Controlled by	State of Rhineland-Palatinate
Open to the public	Yes
Site history
Built	1326/27

Burg Pfalzgrafenstein with Burg Gutenfels in the background, about 1900

Pfalzgrafenstein Castle (German: Burg Pfalzgrafenstein) is a toll castle located on Falkenau island in the Rhine river, close to bank near Kaub, Germany. Unlike the vast majority of Rhine castles, Pfalzgrafenstein Castle was never conquered or destroyed since being established in 1326/27. Also known as "the Pfalz", today this former stronghold is famous for its picturesque setting.

History

The original central tower of Pfalzgrafenstein Castle was built in about 1326/27 by King Ludwig (Louis IV) of Bavaria to increase his toll revenue. Today the tower is 36 metres high and has 6 stories. Since it stood alone, it was build pentagonally as a wave and ice breaker. In reaction, Pope John XXII incited his bishops of Mainz, Trier and Cologne against Ludwig as they were concerned his construction threatened to undermine their nearby tolls being collected at the Mouse Tower in Bingen and at Stolzenfels Castle, near Koblenz. Ludwig had already been excommunicated by the Pope in 1324 due to previous conflict. In c. 1340, it was likely due to this dispute with the church that caused Ludwig to build a six-sided turreted wall around the tower, 12 metres high, to improve its defence and to serve as a better ice breaker. Pope John XXII thrice requested his bishops of Mainz, Trier and Cologne to take action against the toll at Kaub, but nothing was done. To ensure tolls were paid, chain booms were raised across the narrow river passage near the castle. If the toll was paid, the chain would be lowered and the ship could pass, or else the ship would be seized and the crew imprisoned in the castle dungeon. Passing ships could not use the wider channel on the other side of the castle due to a treacherous stretch of water downstream. The castle dungeon was a wooden raft at the bottom of a well. Prisoners were lowered by rope and would remain there until a ransom was paid.

In 1477 Pfalzgrafenstein Castle was passed as deposit to the Count of Katzenelnbogen from the Count Palatine of Wittelsbach. The last male descendent of the Counts of Katzenelnbogen, Philipp I, died in 1479 and the castle passed to the Landgraviate of Hesse.

Later additions were made in 1607 and 1755 to modernise the castle, consisting of corner turrets, the gun bastion pointing upstream, and the characteristic baroque tower cap. Its spartan quarters held about twenty men.

Extensive measures of waterway engineering in the nineteenth century, above all straightening the river for better use as an international waterway and along this particular stretch, clearing it from the old cataract, relocated the regularly used fairway from the river's right arm to its left. Thus the tactical advantage may not be apparent to one unaware of the change in the watercourse.

The Imperial Recess of 1803 was the last significant law passed before the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire. As a result of this law, 10,000 square kilometres (3,900 square miles) of territory changed hands. In that year the castle came under control of the House of Nassau and later became part of the Duchy of Nassau following the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806.

The island of the castle was used for the Rhine crossing by 60,000 Prussian troops under Blücher in the winter of 1814 in his pursuit of Napoleon.

The castle was acquired by Prussia in 1866 as it annexed the Duchy of Nassau following the Austro-Prussian War, and toll collections ceased in 1867. It continued to be used as a signal station for the river boat traffic for about another century.

In 1946, the castle became the property of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate. The State eventually turned "the Pfalz" into a museum and restored the color scheme of the baroque period. The museum reflects the conditions of the 14th century, and the visitor will not find modern amenities such as electricity or a lavatory. It is accessible to the public via a ferry service from nearby Kaub as long as river conditions permit.

The area is part of the Rhine Gorge, which was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in June 2002.