Burg Sooneck

About the museum

High above the Rhine, in the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley, Sooneck Castle rises near Niederheimbach. First mentioned in records in 1271, it soon fell into poor structural condition and was destroyed by French troops in 1689. The ruin then lay for a long time in a Sleeping Beauty-like slumber.

In April 1834 the four Prussian princes Friedrich Wilhelm, Wilhelm, Carl and Albrecht acquired the ruin and decided to rebuild it. The instruction to the master builder was simply to fit everything out in the spirit of a royal hunting lodge; the Middle Ages served as a guide for making what was there habitable. The keep and the castle house are still preserved in their original fabric.

Today the castle belongs to the state of Rhineland-Palatinate; the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage (Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe) is responsible for building work. Visitors explore the furnished rooms on their own with the museum guide; this includes gardens and terraces with a view of the Rhine valley, a small castle shop and a trail for children with a treasure hunt.

Highlights

• Rebuilt castle in the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley
• Original surviving parts: keep and castle house
• Museum with furnished rooms of the Prussian hunting lodge
• Gardens and terraces with Rhine views and a rose garden
• Treasure hunt for eight golden keys for children
• Children's birthday parties and weddings at the castle

Permanent exhibition

• Museum auf Burg Sooneck – Walk through the castle complex, prepared as a royal hunting lodge, with keep, castle house and furnished rooms; children follow a treasure hunt.

Operated by

Land Rheinland-Pfalz (Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe); Betrieb durch Familie Hecher

Admission & discounts

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

The castle is not wheelchair-accessible. A 300-meter paved footpath with a slight incline leads from the car park to the castle. Strollers can be left at the castle entrance. Dogs may be taken on a lead in the outdoor areas; they are not permitted indoors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children search for eight golden keys with castle lady Anna Soon and Sir Eck the knight, and receive a treasure hunt and a wooden medallion with admission. Children's birthday parties are possible from mid-April to mid-October: €12 per child (10 to 20 children), including admission, costumes, treasure hunt, a room for four hours and a games collection; adults pay the castle admission. Booking by email with the completed registration form.

Getting there & parking

From the direction of Bingen, take the first left, then immediately left again through the new development area and the vineyards to the car park (about 500 meters); from the direction of Bacharach, take the last turn in the village to the right (about 100 meters before the end of the village). Most navigation devices know the castle.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

The castle shop sells snacks, ice cream, coffee, cold drinks and wine from the vineyards below the castle, as well as souvenirs; there is seating in the garden (rose garden) and in front of the castle gate. Large backpacks and bags are not permitted in the castle and can be left at the ticket desk. Food and drinks brought along may only be eaten in the picnic area in front of the castle gate.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings can take place from mid-April to mid-October.

Plan your visit