There were two castles to see on the trail during my first hiking day. This is the second one, Reichenstein Castle. Similar to other castles in the area, it has a colourful history, and it is actually not known when the original structure was built: some say it was between 1100 and 1200.
As with other castles nearby, this castle was a lair of robber barons, and in fact, King Rudolf of Habsburg put a ban on reconstruction of this castle in 1290. Nowadays, though, this castle is not only open to the public, but it is also functioning as a hotel.
Nowadays, the castle functions as an event venue as well. Weddings tend to be popular apparently: in fact, when I visited, the hotel was fully booked with guests for one very lavish-looking wedding. There were some areas which I couldn't enter due to an ongoing event, so I just explored other outdoor areas that were accessible to me, like for example the tower. It provided great views of the Rhine as well as its surroundings.
The interior looks like what one would typically expect the interior of a castle. It was opulent, it had skeletons of wild animals, and it had weapons.
I was also able to go to the very top, which was a quiet area. Somehow, everyone else was in the lower levels, enjoying their event. But on the rooftop, I was all alone, watching the surroundings.
Eventually, I slowly made my way down. I still had a bit to go on this leg of the trail before I ended it in Trechtingshausen, where a train station was located. From there, I took the train back to Mainz.
