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Pfalzgrafenstein Castle

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Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
Burg Pfalzgrafenstein
Kaub, Germany
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle seen from the bank of the Rhine
Site information
TypeToll castle, Island castle
Controlled byState of Rhineland-Palatinate
Open to
the public		Yes
ConditionPreserved
Location
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle is located in Germany
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
Coordinates50°04′59″N 7°45′57″E / 50.08306°N 7.76583°E / 50.08306; 7.76583
Height36 metres
Site history
Built1326/27
Built byKing Ludwig of Bavaria
Battles/warsWar of the Succession of Landshut Thirty Years' War
Garrison information
Garrison17th/18th century: 20 – 54 men
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle with Kaub and Gutenfels Castle in the background, photographed in 2005

Pfalzgrafenstein Castle (German: Burg Pfalzgrafenstein),[a] also known as the Pfalz, is a toll castle situated on Falkenau island in the Rhine River, adjacent to Kaub, Germany. First established in 1326/27 by King Ludwig IV of Bavaria, it served to collect river tolls from passing traffic. In 1504 it withstood a 39 day siege in the War of the Succession of Landshut unscathed and was occupied by Spanish forces for 11 years from 1620 in the Thirty Year's War. The castle has undergone various modifications since its original construction, most notably with greater fortifications in 1607 and a baroque tower cap added in 1714. Pfalzgrafenstein Castle was used as a key point for Prussian and Russian forces to cross the Rhine in 1814, during the campaign against Napoleon. Toll collection ceased in 1867, but the castle has remained in good condition and is now preserved as a public museum.

The area is part of the Rhine Gorge, which was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in June 2002.[1]

History

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Construction and early history

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The original central tower of Pfalzgrafenstein Castle was built in 1326/27 by King Ludwig (Louis IV) of Bavaria to increase his toll revenue.[2][3] Today the tower is 36 metres high and has 6 storeys. Since it stood alone, it was built pentagonally as a wave- and ice-breaker. In reaction, Pope John XXII incited his bishops of Mainz, Trier and Cologne to excommunicate Ludwig, as they were concerned that his construction threatened to undermine their own nearby toll collections at the Mouse Tower at Bingen and at Stolzenfels Castle, near Koblenz.[4] Pope John XXII had already attempted to excommunicate Ludwig in 1325 because of his toll collection at Gutenfels Castle, however this address remained inactive.[5] In c. 1340, it was likely 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.[2][4] Pope John XXII three times requested his bishops of Mainz, Trier and Cologne to take action against the toll at Kaub, but nothing was done.[3]

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.[6] Passing ships could not use the wider channel on the other side of the castle due to a treacherous stretch of water downstream.[7] 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.[4][6] Tolls were paid at a customs house in Kaub as ships could not dock properly on Falkenau island.[5]

In 1339, Ludwig gifted the castle to Count Rudolph II, the Elector Palatine, his nephew.[8] According to a decree of 1473[which?], the castle saw use as a prison and court.[9]

In 1477, Pfalzgrafenstein Castle was given as a deposit to the Count of Katzenelnbogen by Count Palatine Philip of Wittelsbach, expiring on his[who?] death. The final male descendent of the Counts of Katzenelnbogen, Philipp I, died in 1479, causing a 44 year-long inheritance dispute lasting until 1523.[10]

Military activity and architectural additions

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In 1504, Pfalzgrafenstein Castle withstood a 39 day siege by Landgrave William II of Hesse in the War of the Succession of Landshut. It survived unscathed. Kaub and nearby Gutenfels Castle were also besieged.[8][11]

Additions to the castle were made in 1607 by Elector Friedrich IV, adding the gun bastion pointing upstream, interior arcades and completing the outer wall as seen today.[4][12] These changes allowed modern guns to be brought into the castle much easier.[13] In 1620, the castle was occupied by Spanish forces in the Thirty Year's War. While there was a brief exchange of gunfire at Kaub, Pfalzgrafenstein Castle was taken without a fight.[14] Hessian forces besieged and retook the castle in 1631.[15]

The distinctive baroque tower cap of Pfalzgrafenstein Castle was added in 1714.[13] The castle received its current appearance following a fire and subsequent renovation in 1756.[16] During the final period of Electoral Palatinate rule, the garrison comprised between 20 and 54 men.[9]

The Napoleonic period

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The Imperial Recess of 1803 was the last significant law passed before the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire,[17] interchanging 10,000 square kilometres (3,900 sq mi) of territory between states.[18] As a result of this law, the castle was relinquished by the Electoral Palatinate to come under control of the House of Nassau,[9] later the Duchy of Nassau in 1806 following the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire.[4][19]

The island of the castle was used for the crossing of the Rhine by Prussian and Russian forces under Field-Marshal von Blücher in pursuit of Napoleon, following the decisive French defeat at the Battle of Leipzig. On 1 January 1814, a pontoon bridge was constructed by Russian engineers, allowing Blücher's army of 60,000 men, 20,000 horses and 220 guns to cross.[4][20] The castle had been unoccupied since the garrison of the Electoral Palatinate withdrew in 1803.[9]

Late modern period and preservation

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In 1866 the castle came under Prussian control after they annexed the Duchy of Nassau following the Austro-Prussian War,[21] and toll collections ceased in 1867.[4] The river has since been changed significantly to make the wider channel safely navigable.[7] The castle continued to be used as a beacon for river boat traffic into the 1900s, remaining in good condition.[2]

In 1946, the castle became the property of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in West Germany.[22] From 1960, the castle was used as a signal station for river traffic.[16] There was restoration work between 1967 and 1975; this included repainting the baroque colour scheme, reopening walled up arrow loops, restoring the original gate and repairing the roof.[2]

Today, Pfalzgrafenstein Castle is preserved as a public museum, reflecting a "reasonably accurately preserved and restored medieval Rhenish castle".[2] It is accessible by ferry from nearby Kaub, when river conditions permit.[23] The castle is closed during December and January.[7]

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  • View of the village of Kaub and the castles of Gutenfels and Pfalzgrafenstein, photographed 1867/1868 by William England
    View of the village of Kaub and the castles of Gutenfels and Pfalzgrafenstein, photographed 1867/1868 by William England
  • View of Kaub with the castles Gutenfels and Pfalzengrafenstein, 1832 – 1872 by Rudolph Bodmer
    View of Kaub with the castles Gutenfels and Pfalzengrafenstein, 1832 – 1872 by Rudolph Bodmer
  • Pfalzgrafenstein Castle with Kaub and Gutenfels Castle in the background, as depicted in mechanical print, around 1900
    Pfalzgrafenstein Castle with Kaub and Gutenfels Castle in the background, as depicted in mechanical print, around 1900
  • Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, photographed in 1931/1943
    Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, photographed in 1931/1943
  • The inner courtyard of Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, 2004
    The inner courtyard of Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, 2004
  • Blücher's Rhine-crossing at Kaub, by Wilhelm Camphausen
    Blücher's Rhine-crossing at Kaub, by Wilhelm Camphausen
  • Monument on the bank of the Rhine River, erected in 1853, to commemorate the early January 1814 crossing of Blücher's forces
    Monument on the bank of the Rhine River, erected in 1853, to commemorate the early January 1814 crossing of Blücher's forces

Notes and references

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Notes

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  1. ^ pronounced [bʊʁk pfaːlts.kʁafn.ʃtaɪn]

References

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  1. ^ "Upper Middle Rhine Valley". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Taylor, Robert R. (4 August 2009). The Castles of the Rhine: Recreating the Middle Ages in Modern Germany. Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press. ISBN 978-1-55458-801-5.
  3. ^ a b "Pfalzgrafenstein Castle". Oberes Mittelrheintal. Archived from the original on 24 June 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Die Geschichte des 'Pfalzgrafenstein'" [The history of the 'Pfalzgrafenstein']. loreley.de (in German). TeleComp Multimedia GmbH. Archived from the original on 9 May 2006.
  5. ^ a b Sebald, Edward (2006). "Der Pfalzgrafenstein und die Kauber Zollstelle im Kontext der Zoll- und Territorialpolitik der Pfalzgrafen bei Rhein" [The Pfalzgrafenstein and the Kaub customs office in the context of the customs and territorial policy of the Counts Palatine of the Rhine]. scholar.googleusercontent.com (in German). Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  6. ^ a b Bacchus, James (2005). "Chains across the Rhine". Amicus Curiae. 58: 10–15. doi:10.14296/ac.v2005i58.1087.
  7. ^ a b c Angel, David (7 February 2023). "Pfalzgrafenstein Castle : A Unique Castle On The Rhine (2024)". Delve into Europe. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  8. ^ a b Luthmer, Ferdinand; Bezirksverband, Wiesbaden (1902). Bau- und Kunstdenkmäler des Regierungsbezirks Wiesbaden; [The Construction & Art: Monument of the Nassau Circles] (in German). Getty Research Institute. Frankfurt a. M., Kommissionsverlag von H. Keller. pp. 50–66.
  9. ^ a b c d "Geschichte – Burg Pfalzgrafenstein" [History – Pfalzgrafenstein Castle] (in German). Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  10. ^ Mohr, Werner. "RHEIN MAIN CHRONIK Frankfurt - Wiesbaden - Mainz - Darmstadt". graf-von-katzenelnbogen.de (in German). Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  11. ^ Gerning, Johann Isaac (1820). A Picturesque Tour Along the Rhine, from Mentz to Cologne: With Illustrations of the Scenes of Remarkable Events, and of Popular Traditions. Translated by Black, John. R. Ackermann. pp. 97–98.
  12. ^ Avenarius, Wilhelm (2001). Castles on the Rhine from Mainz to Cologne. Internet Archive. [Pulheim] : Rahmel-Verlag. p. 15. ISBN 978-3-930885-37-4.
  13. ^ a b Haberland, Irene (1 January 2008). Das Rheintal / The Rhine Valley. Internet Archive. Bouvier Verlag. p. 80. ISBN 978-3-416-03231-5.
  14. ^ Morel-Fatio, Alfred (1878). L'Espagne Au Seizieme Et Au Dix-septieme Siecle: Documents Historiques Et Litteraires [Spain in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries] (in Spanish). Henninger. pp. 370–371.
  15. ^ Annalen des Vereins für Nassauische Alterthumskunde und Geschichtsforschung [Annals of the Association for Nassau Antiquities and Historical Research] (in German). Vol. 22–25. Der Verein. 1890 [1827]. p. 96.
  16. ^ a b Krienke, Rainer (9 November 2023). Lichterzauber im Weltkulturerbe Oberes Mittelrheintal [Magic lights in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage Site] (in German). BoD – Books on Demand. pp. 64–66. ISBN 978-3-7583-0900-7.
  17. ^ Holborn, Hajo (1982). A History of Modern Germany, 1648–1840. Princeton University Press. p. 366.
  18. ^ Brose, Eric Dorne (2008). German History 1789–1871. From the Holy Roman Empire to the Bismarckian Reich. Berghahn Books. p. 44.
  19. ^ "Nassau | German History, Culture & Landscape". Britannica. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  20. ^ "Alexander the Great". Encyclopædia Britannica 11th and 12th Editions. 1922. p. 546.
  21. ^ "A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Nassau". Office of the Historian. United States Department of State. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  22. ^ Mijia, Eggers (16 May 2018). "Pfalzgrafenstein, the Castle in the Middle of the Rhine River". My Magic Earth. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  23. ^ "ÖFFNUNGSZEITEN & ANFAHRT – Burg Pfalzgrafenstein" [OPENING HOURS & DIRECTIONS – Pfalzgrafenstein Castle] (in German). Retrieved 21 July 2024.
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