The ruins of castle Ehrenfels stand on the eastern bank of the Rhine on the steep slopes of the mountain Rüdesheim, covered with the best vineyards in Germany. The grapes are used for making excellent local wine named after the castle – Ehrenfels.
Today the castle, which is a part of UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley is owned by the state of Hesse and consists of 4 .6 meter thick, 20 meters high, curtain wall with two 33-meter-high towers and the remains of the palace with a construction of main gate.
It was built probably on the former settlement by order of Archbishop of Mainz, who wanted to protect his land from the constant attacks of Elector Palatine Henry V. The castle was then filled with defence machines and militarymen and in the middle of the 13th century became the customs station. The actual office was on the river and was connected with the Mouse Tower.
In the Thirty Years’ War the castle was besieged several times and occupied by various warring parties. In 1689 during the Nine Years War it was severely damaged again, this time by French forces. Later the outer castle walls were removed during the creation of additional vineyards.
[ photo courtesy of e_calamar]
