Today Stahleck Castle

1 today

1.1 palas
1.2 bergfried
1.3 shield wall , main entrance
1.4 other structures

today

the castle today 20th-century reconstruction, based on results of excavation , 1646 engraving matthäus merian. rebuilding plans work of ernst stahl, closely followed merian s depiction , used other historical models engraving gave no information. example, rectangular shape of castle, measuring approximately 55 24 m, shows typical regular layout , clear divisions of castle of hohenstaufen period. size of modern buildings approximates of in original castle; oldest portions foundations of keep, parts of cellar under palas , sections of curtain wall.

since castle used hostel, not available tours. however, courtyard accessible public , offers fine view of rhine, since on side there low parapet.

palas

the palas, between longhouse (left) , kitchen building (right)

the palas (residential building) 2 storeys high, built of crushed stone lined rhenish schwemmstein (a traditional artificial material made of dried pumice , lime, similar concrete), , stands @ eastern, rhine valley end of courtyard, on vaulted cellar ernst stahl dated time of conrad of hohenstaufen. has shingled hip roof 10 m high. adjoining on southwest side so-called kitchen building, fachwerk first floor, today residence of hostel managers.

on courtyard side, red sandstone tablet commemorates duke karl ludwig s rebuilding of castle. inscription reads:

carl lvdwig pfaltzgraf chvrfÜrst ernevert mich anno 1666 (carl ludwig, count palatine [and] elector, remade me in year 1666)

of numerous details stahl once envisaged incorporating in rebuilding of castle, windows , chandeliers of great hall exist today. 11 windows of hall, made of stained glass düsseldorf glass painter richard gassen, depict important events in history of castle , arms of people or institutions of rhine province in 1920s. framed versions in basalt can seen outside. room has oak plank floor , holds approximately 100 people.

bergfried

although documentary evidence leads conclusion castle built in 12th century @ latest, archaeological investigations have been unable provide proof. stahl believed, however, preserved foundations of bergfried (keep) should dated 12th century. keep round tower 7.5 m in diameter stands on bedrock in centre of inner courtyard. has walls 2 metres thick , topped 16 m cone-shaped roof. top floor, 4 m high, added later, can seen different colour of stone.

shield wall , main entrance

main gate , shield wall

the castle defended high hillside on west chemise wall has been fortified form shield wall 2.6 m thick. there interior stairway, not, however, reach far roofed chemin de ronde @ top of wall; used reach upper floors of 1930s tower building. of tall, narrow embrasures subsequently walled closed @ base , fitted wooden frames absorb recoil of firearms. fishtail shape indicates wall dates first half of 14th century. @ top flanked on both sides polygonal turrets replaced 2 earlier round towers.

below shield wall moat cut out of rock. section of measuring 18 13 metres separated off , filled water, doubling cistern. stone bridge leads on moat main entrance; gateway guarded embrasured turret above , leads elongated zwinger.

other structures

the former boys hostel called longhouse. has ground floor of crushed stone , fachwerk first floor. slate roof has dormer on courtyard side curved gable.

what known tower building, formerly girls hostel, stands against shield wall. resembles longhouse in details.

a walled platform cut out of rock little above castle southwest post-medieval position artillery aimed @ hillside important part of castle s defences after introduction of gunpowder. precise date unknown, matthäus merian s 17th-century engraving shows existed 1646.