The Fortress of Rheinfels
Europe abounds with castles, let them be in good shapes or ruins they have become part of the landscape. Of course, some had a greater impact on history than others, and one of such bastion is the Fortress of Rheinfels.
The place had a long history, going all the way back to the latter days of the medieval era as it was originally built in 1245. The Comte Dieter Von Katzenelnbogen, part of the greater Holy Roman Empire, in order to tax the ships travelling on the Rhin river. It was part of a group of other such fortifications built by the Comte to ensure better control over the river as it was a major trade route in central Europe. Of course, the Fortress of Rheinfels was the greatest of this group, so it became the main court of the Comte. This claim would rapidly be put to the test as a coalition of 26 smaller cities, tired of the heavy taxes put by the Katzenelnbogen organized an army to destroy it.
The army was nothing short of formidable for the time, no less than 1000 knights, 8000 men-at-arms and a fleet of 50 ships were sent to this bastion. Unfortunately for the assailants, Rheinfels proved itself to be at the level of its reputation, defeating the enemy after a little over a year-long siege.
The fortress passes over to the Landgraves of Hesse, when the Dieter Von Katzenelnbogen were absorbed into the latter. The former quickly invested a lot into this bastion, significantly improving its defences, including a complex underground system. The new changes prove themselves fruitful as, during the bloody events of the 30 years’ war, it endured numerous Spanish assaults. By the end of the conflict, it was the only fortress left standing on the Rhin.
After the war, it was once again harassed on numerous occasions by the French under Louis XIV. But in 1797, during the days of the French Revolution the place was finally handed over to the French. The latter proceeded to dismantle it in order to get stones for other constructions. Despite this, around a third of the original structure still stands today.
