Castles & Palaces
Stolzenfels Castle – Great Halls and domestic culture with a view
High above the Rhine in Koblenz stands the crown jewel of Rhine Romanticism, which is still considered to be one of the finest examples of interior design and architecture of that period to this day.
Originally built as a toll castle sometime around the year 1250, Stolzenfels Castle was destroyed during the War of the Grand Alliance in 1689. It was even used as a quarry. It wasn't rebuilt until King Frederick William IV ordered for plans drawn up by Karl Friedrich Schinkel to be followed in 1836. Its ochre finish, flat roofs, pergolas and terraces mean that it oozes a perfectly Italian serenity. The exquisite furnishings, some of which are originals, reflect people's lifestyle and mindset at the time.
The Large and Small Knights' Halls are two special highlights, with the smaller of the rooms situated in the medieval residential tower, having originally been used as a reception room. The walls are adorned with frescos recalling the history of the German empire. The Small Knights' Hall has two doors that lead out onto the roof terrace on the castle church. From here, there is a spectacular view of the Middle Rhine Valley, which can also be seen from the rooms on the south and east side. Stolzenfels Castle has been part of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002.