St. Mark’s Castle on the Rhine : Built in 1150

The Rhine River Valley is a beautiful sight with its castles and vineyards.

Buying a Mosel Riesling at a little stop along the river.

The Romans made the first settlements along the river followed by Frankish villagers, often adjacent to a fortified noble house.  The valley has always been prosperous and no where else in the world are castles found in such abundance.

A view over the Rhine River and its settlements.

Above the town of Braubach (that dates back to 1276) and boasts the wonderfully comfortable Hotel Zum Weissen Schwanen, is the Marksburg Castle.  It was built in 1150 by the nobles of Braubach.

Marksburg Castle.

Because of the strategic positioning of the castle, it cannot be attacked from the Rhine River side or the back and has warded off the fate that befell all the other Rhine castles : conquest and destruction.

Taking in the view from the Marksburg Castle.

Ships and barges sail the River constantly and always have despite the danger of reefs, rapids and pirates.  Traveling merchants were in constant danger of attack by gangs of robbers.  When the many castles were built it became safer to travel by road but not cheap because the castle owners expected payment in return for protection.  There were many conflicts and many castle owners were called robber-barons.  With the improvement of fire arms in the 16th century the castles became less significant.  Many fell into decay because noblemen went to live in more comfortable palaces in the valley.  Others fell victim to the armies of Louis XIV and Napoleon.  The only medieval castle left standing is the Marksburg.