Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The seven-foot-tall carved stone immediately inside the door (marked Flam-
mensäule )—atombstonefromanearbyCelticgrave—isfrom400yearsbeforeChrist.There
were people here long before the Romans...and this castle.
Thesweepingcastlehistoryexhibitinthecenteroftheroomiswell-describedinEnglish.
The massive fortification was the only Rhineland castle to withstand Louis XIV's assault
during the 17th century. At the far end of the room is a model reconstruction of the castle
showinghowmuchbiggeritwasbeforeFrenchRevolutionarytroopsdestroyeditinthe18th
century. Study this. Find where you are. (Hint: Look for the tall tower.) This was the living
quarters of the original castle, which was only the smallest ring of buildings around the tiny
central courtyard (13th century). The ramparts were added in the 14th century. By 1650, the
fortresswaslargelycomplete.SinceitsdestructionbytheFrenchinthelate18thcentury,it's
had no military value. While no WWII bombs were wasted on this ruin, it served St. Goar
as a stone quarry for generations. The basement of the museum shows the castle pharmacy
and an exhibit of Rhine-region odds and ends, including tools, an 1830 loom, and photos of
icebreaking on the Rhine. While once routine, icebreaking hasn't been necessary here since
1963.
• Exit the museum and walk 30 yards directly out, slightly uphill into the castle courtyard,
where you'll see a sign for the inner courtyard ( Innenhof).
Medieval Castle Courtyard: Five hundred years ago, the entire castle encircled this
courtyard. The place was self-sufficient and ready for a siege, with a bakery, pharmacy, herb
garden, brewery, well (top of yard), and livestock. During peacetime, 300-600 people lived
here; during a siege, there would be as many as 4,000. The walls were plastered and painted
white. Bits of the original 13th-century plaster survive.
• Continue through the courtyard under the Erste Schildmauer (first shield wall) sign, turn
left , and walk straight to the two old wooden upright posts. Find the pyramid of stone cata-
pult balls on your left.
Castle Garden: Catapult balls like these were too expensive not to recycle—they'd be
retrieved after any battle. Across from the balls is a well ( Brunnen )—essential for any
castle during the age of sieges. Look in. Thirsty? The old posts are for the ceremonial bap-
tizing of new members of the local trading league. While this guild goes back centuries,
it's now a social club that fills this court with a huge wine party the third weekend of each
September.
• Climb uphill to the castle's highest point by walking along the cobbled path up past the
high battery ( Hohe Batterie) to the castle's best viewpoint—up where the German flag
waves ( signed
Uhrturm).
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