Burg Staheck

One of the most famous of the Rhein castles, and once closely connected with the history of the townlet of Bacharach, Stahleck received its first mention in 1135. Emperor Frederick Barbarossa handed over the castle, originally in the possesion of the Cologne Archbishops, to his brother Konrad, whose daughter, Agnes, much against her father's will, secretly married her childhood love, Henry of Welfen, son of Henry the Lion. Thus an end was brought about to the bitter feud between Guelf and Ghibelline. Today Stahleck serves as a Youth Hostel.