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Burg Rheinfels is one of the Rhineland’s largest and strongest fortified castles. One of the most dramatic stories from it’s past tells of a siege in which it withstood almost 30,000 French troops, unfortunately one hundred years later in 1797 the French succeeded in taking the castle and destroyed most of it leaving the ruined section of the castle which survives today. Just inside the exhibit entrance is a model of the castle at it’s largest mid 17th Century and visitors can view the self sufficient layout which included a pharmacy, brewery, well, bakery and livestock housing, which protected and supported several thousand people during times of siege. Walking around the remains of the tall central tower you will see the holes in the walls that provided housing for the soldiers, you can also see the artefacts which worked to protect and repel for so long, slits for arrows, giant cross bow brackets, rails for pitch cauldrons and retrieved catapult balls. You can also visit the castles prison and the enormous cellar which was built from the moat of the original version of the castle.

Burg Rheinfels was originally built in 1245 was converted first into a mansion style building then later peaked in it’s form as a formidable fortress. In winter the burg is only open on weekends.

Written by  Kynan Wieltz.

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