Kaub - Pfalzgrafenstein

Pfalzgrafenstein Castle in the center, (reconsructed) Burg Gutenfels in the background to the left.

Ludwig the Bavarian (later "Ludwig IV, Holy Roman Emperor") erected a tower on the island in 1326/1327 to enforce the toll, that had to be paid in Kaub. Since 1477 Pfalzgrafenstein was in the ownership of the Counts of Katzenelnbogen, who extended the gun bastion. An iron chain across the Rhine forced all ships to submit. "Uncooperative" traders could be kept in the dungeon until a ransom was delivered.

Pfalzgrafenstein was never conquered or destroyed.

The plaque to the right commemorates Prussian General Bluecher, who crossed the Rhine here with his army of 60.000 in the pursuit of Napoleon´s army after the Battle of Leipzig. The island then was used as the center of a floating bridge, constructed by Russian military engineers.