Heimatmuseum auf Burg Rheinfels
Museum in the Rheinfels castle ruin on the history of the castle and town of St. Goar, on Ferdinand Freiligrath and with a castle cinema – included in the castle admission.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Rheinfels Castle was founded in 1245 by Count Diether of Katzenelnbogen above St. Goar and is today one of the largest castle and fortress ruins in Europe. Under the counts of Hesse it was turned into a Renaissance palace and later an extensive fortress; it was besieged during the Thirty Years' War and the War of the Palatine Succession, but never taken. In 1948 the “Sankt Goar-Kreis” met here and prepared recommendations for the Basic Law (Grundgesetz).
The castle museum lies within the complex and is run by the town of St. Goar. The first floor documents the history of castle and town from Roman times to 20th-century plans, including a model of the fortress around 1600. One section is devoted to the poet Ferdinand Freiligrath, who lived in St. Goar for a time, and to the themes of Romanticism and Revolution.
In the basement, under a barrel vault from 1371, there are records of trade and crafts of past centuries, such as tools of a cooperage, a saw works and a bookbindery, as well as a historic pharmacy. In the castle cinema you can virtually visit areas of the castle that are not accessible.
Highlights
- Model of Rheinfels Fortress around 1600
- Section on Ferdinand Freiligrath, Romanticism and Revolution
- Historic pharmacy and craft rooms in the 1371 vaulted cellar
- Castle cinema with a virtual tour of inaccessible castle areas
- Site of democratic history: Sankt Goar-Kreis 1948
Permanent exhibition
- Burgmuseum Rheinfels – History of the fortress, Ferdinand Freiligrath, the town history of St. Goar, and the castle cinema with virtual tour.
- Operated by
- Stadt St. Goar
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4 |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 14 |
| Students & apprentices | €4.50Pupils, students |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Groups of 10 or more, please register in advance. |
| Families | €13Parents with two children (aged 6–14) |
Admission covers the castle ruin and the museum. The lower castle section and the mine tunnels are only accessible on a castle guided tour.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bus lines 681, 682 and 683 via St. Goar also serve the castle (Mon–Fri hourly, on weekends and public holidays every half hour).
By car
Paid parking
Paid parking directly at the castle.
On foot, a signposted path leads up from the St. Goar market square, about 20 minutes. Navigation address: Schlossberg, 56329 St. Goar. Hikers reach the castle via the RheinBurgenWeg.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Castle guided tours (mine tunnels only in the summer season, due to bat protection); museum tour with virtual tour in the castle cinema on request at +49 6741 7753. |
