Four castles can be found on the northwest banks of the Rhine Valley. The Prince Elector's Castle, built in 1185 by a German aristocrat, has been home to archbishops. Stolzenfels Palace was built by the archbishop of Trier between 1242 and 1259 as a border fortress. It was almost destroyed in 1689 in the Palatinate War. The Former Elector's Castle was built in 1327 by another archbishop of Trier after he captured the town of Boppard. Rhienfels Fortress was built in 1245 as the home of the Counts of Katzenelnbogen and remained the family home for more than 200 years.
Eight castles stand vigil along the northeast shore of the Rhine Valley, several housing museums or drawing significant numbers of tourists. Lahneck, Martinsburg, Marksburg, Maus and Katz castles all date from the 14th century. Castles Sterrenburg, Liebenstein and Lahneck all date from the 13th century. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is the farthest north of the castles and dates to 1828, although castles have stood on the site since the 11th century. Castle Katz and Castle Liebenstein are not open as tourist attractions but both operate as hotels.
The southwest Rhine Valley is home to 10 castles, the earliest, Sooneck and Reichestein, date from the 11th century. Castles Schonberg and Stahleck were both built in the 12th century. Fursteberg and Heimburg castles date to the 13th century. Pfalzgrafenstein and Rheinstein castles were both built during the 14th century. The most recent castle built on the river's shores is Klopp Castle. Built in 1879, it replaced a previous castle which was destroyed in 1689 by the forces of French King Louis XIV.
The southeastern shore of the Rhine Valley is home to just four castles. Castle Gutenfels, built in 1257, has been with the same family for most of its existence and is today a hotel. Nollig Castle was built around 1300 and stands as a ruin today, not open to tourists. Ehrenfels Castle dates back to the 13th century and was part of a protection barrier for Bingen during the middle ages. Castle Bromserburg is the Rhine Valley's oldest, having been built around 1000 and is today a wine museum.
