Reichenberg combines a distinctive castle history with an official access route to the Rheinsteig. Reichenberg Castle stands above the town; its construction history can be traced through several clearly dated stages. The waypoints along the access route and the different bus services are also relevant when planning your stay. This will help you decide whether to focus on the castle, a route or a practical connection.
The Castle’s Construction History
Construction of the medieval castle began in 1319 under Count Wilhelm I of Katzenelnbogen. The planned structure was not completed after his death in 1331. Following the division of the inheritance in 1352, Count Wilhelm II continued the work. Later sections included an eastern part, the great hall and residential wings.
One of the notable surviving features is a shield wall four metres thick and twenty metres high. Reichenberg Castle is an early 14th-century complex; its Mannerist shield wall is considered a distinctive feature of late medieval castle construction. In the surviving great hall, the ceiling rests on cushion capitals—that is, capitals with a cube-shaped form.
The towers also form part of the castle’s history: the former south tower collapsed in 1813, and the north tower in 1971. The castle is privately owned and can currently only be viewed from the outside. Before travelling, check whether this visitor status is still in effect.
Routes and Historic Traces
An official access route from Reichenberg to the Rheinsteig has been in place since early September 2005. It joins the Rheinsteig in the Leiselfeld area and passes Bornsmühle, the youngest of the town’s three mills, dating from 1724. The route also passes Hof Offenthal. Hof Offenthal is considered the oldest part of Reichenberg and was first documented in 1250. The two dates mark different historical periods: the mill dates from 1724, while Hof Offenthal was first documented as early as 1250.
The nearby Loreley Extra Tour is another hiking option: it is a certified circular route and almost 15 kilometres long, but passes through Reichenberg’s municipal area for only a short stretch.
An exposed section of the historic Hessen or Roman road south of Reichenberg is marked by an information stone. The historic route ran from Trier via a Rhine crossing near St. Goarshausen to Kassel.
Bus Connections and Getting Your Bearings
When planning your bus journey, it is worth distinguishing between two types of service. Regioline 580 runs daily from Reichenberg to St. Goarshausen or via Nastätten to Limburg. In addition, some bus journeys to Reichenberg operate as a dial-a-ride service; these require a booking request two hours in advance. Before travelling, check the current timetable and the booking requirement for your specific connection.
Reichenberg does not have its own tourist information office and is affiliated with Loreley Touristik GmbH. Visitor information may change, so check the latest information before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Attenhausen, Balduinstein, Kemmenau, Katzenelnbogen, Bad Ems, Lahnstein, Patersberg, Holzhausen An Der Haide
Go to the regional travel overview: Rhein-Lahn.
