Castle · Bacharach · Updated on 1 November 2026.

Burg Stahleck in Bacharach

Burg Stahleck is a castle in Bacharach, Rhineland-Palatinate. This place has an audio tour of about 2 minutes, in English or Dutch. Within 840 m you'll find a bench, a public toilet and a water point.

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The story

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Audio tour · Burg Stahleck

2:28

You're standing at Stahleck Castle, high above the town of Bacharach on the Rhine. It sits on a steep crag, and that explains the name. It comes from Middle High German: stahel means steel, and ecke here means crag. Put together, it's an impregnable castle on a crag. Take a look at the round tower in the middle of the courtyard, with its tall cone-shaped roof. And see the moat below the thick wall on the hillside? Part of it is filled with water. A water-filled moat on top of a hill is a real rarity in Germany.

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Burg Stahleck in Bacharach: castle above the Rhine

Burg Stahleck is a castle on a steep rock, high above the Rhine. It is now a youth hostel, and it is almost always full. The name means something like "impregnable stronghold". The castle is also known for a wedding: in 1349 the emperor married here. You can visit the courtyard and look out over the river from there. Guided tours inside are not available. You will find Burg Stahleck near Bacharach in Rijnland-Palts, on the Rhine, with postcode 55422.

Burg Stahleck's history

Burg Stahleck probably dates from the twelfth century. The archbishop of Keulen had the castle built. Later it passed into the hands of the paltsgraven. Under them, Bacharach grew into a trading town, known for its wine among other things. The castle helped to collect tolls. During the Dertigjarige Oorlog, Stahleck was besieged and captured 8 times. In 1689, Franse troepen blew up the castle. The rubble even destroyed the gotische Wernerkapel at the foot of the hill. For a long time Stahleck remained a ruin, and romantics liked to visit it. From 1925 the castle was rebuilt as a youth hostel, largely based on an engraving by Matthäus Merian from 1646. Under the nazi's, young people were indoctrinated here. The tower only received its current form in 1967.

Toilets, drinking water and benches nearby

Benches near Burg Stahleck are plentiful. The nearest one is 57 metres away, and there are 45 benches within 500 metres. Public toilets are a little further away. The nearest public toilet is 320 metres off, near the Rheinanlagen, and it is the only public toilet within 500 metres. Drinking water is harder to find: there are no water taps within 500 metres of Burg Stahleck. The nearest one is 841 metres away, at Kirchweg, so you will need to bring your own water.

Facilities near Burg Stahleck

The nearest pitstop of each kind within 1 km, as the crow flies. No bike pump or honesty box within 1 km.

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Frequently asked questions

Is there drinking water at Burg Stahleck?

No, there are 0 water points within 500 metres of Burg Stahleck. The nearest water point is 841 metres away, at Kirchweg.

Are there benches at Burg Stahleck?

Yes, the nearest bench is 57 metres from Burg Stahleck. There are 45 benches within 500 metres.

Is there a toilet at Burg Stahleck?

The nearest public toilet is 320 metres away, at Rheinanlagen. Within 500 metres of Burg Stahleck, this is the only public toilet.

Can you visit Burg Stahleck in Bacharach?

You can only visit the inner courtyard of Burg Stahleck, which is open to the public. Guided tours inside are not available, because the youth hostel in the castle is still fully in use.

Can you stay overnight at Burg Stahleck?

Yes, Burg Stahleck is a youth hostel, but it is almost always full.

When was Burg Stahleck built?

Burg Stahleck probably dates from the twelfth century.