Pfalzgrafenstein Castle



Pfalzgrafenstein Castle (Burg Pfalzgrafenstein) is a toll castle located on Falkenau island in the Rhine River, near the bank close to Kaub, Germany. Also known as "the Pfalz", Pfalzgrafenstein Castle has never been destroyed since being established in 1326/27. Today this former stronghold is famous for its picturesque setting in the Rhine Gorge.

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 pentagon ally 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 1339, Ludwig gifted the castle to Count Rudolph II of the Electoral Palatinate, his nephew.

According to a decree of 1473, the castle also saw use as a prison and court.

In 1477, Pfalzgrafenstein Castle was given as a deposit to the Count of Katzenelnbogen from the Count Palatine Philip of Wittelsbach, expiring on his death. The final male descendent of the Counts of Katzenelnbogen, Philipp I, dies in 1479, which causes a 44 year-long inheritance dispute lasting until 1523. The castle passed to the Landgraviate of Hesse.

In 1504, the castle withstood a 39 day siege by Landgrave William II of Hesse in the War of the Succession of Landshut. Kaub and Gutenfels Castle were also besieged.

Additions to Pfalzgrafenstein Castle were made in 1607 by Elector Friedrich IV, adding the gun bastion pointing upstream, interior arcades and completing the outer wall as it's seen today. These changes allowed modern guns to be brought into the castle much easier. The castle's distinctive baroque tower cap was added in 1714. The castle received its current appearance following a fire and subsequent renovation in 1756. During the final period of Electoral Palatinate rule, the fortress's garrison comprised between 20 and 54 men.

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 between states. In that year the castle was relinquished by the Electoral Palatinate to come under control of the House of Nassau, later being 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 Prussian and Russian forces under Field-Marshal von Blücher in pursuit of Napoleon, following the decisive French defeat at the Battle of Leipzig. On New Year's Day 1814, a pontoon bridge was constructed by Russian engineers, allowing 60,000 men, 20,000 horses, and 220 guns to cross. The castle was unoccupied and had been since 1803, when the garrison of the Electoral Palatinate withdrew.

In 1866, Prussia annexed the Duchy of Nassau following the Austro-Prussian War and gained control of the castle, ceasing toll collections in 1867. The river has since been changed significantly to make the wider channel safely navigable. The castle continued to be used as a beacon for river boat traffic into the 1900s and remained in good condition.

In 1946, the castle became the property of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

From 1960, the castle was used as a signal station for river traffic.

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.