Burg Katz
Burg Katz features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Rhine Valley. Give it roughly ~20 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type castle
- Suggested visit ~20 min
- Rhine Valley Rhine Valley guide
About Burg Katz
Officially Burg Neukatzenelnbogen but known as 'the Cat', this castle above Sankt Goarshausen is a 19th-century rebuild, privately owned and closed, best admired from across the river.
Burg Katz, officially Burg Neukatzenelnbogen, stands above Sankt Goarshausen on the right bank of the Rhine, within the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was first built around 1371 by Count William II of Katzenelnbogen, and comprises a great hall and a massive bergfried that originally rose about 40 metres. The nickname Katz, meaning cat, is a short form of the founding family's name; the smaller neighbouring castle Burg Maus, the mouse, was built nearby as a military counterpart and named by contrast with the larger stronghold.
The castle was bombarded and demolished in 1806 on the orders of Napoleon, then rebuilt in 1896 to 1898. The structure seen today is therefore largely a late-19th-century reconstruction rather than intact medieval fabric. It is now privately owned and not open to the public, so its interior cannot be visited and can only be seen from outside, for example from Sankt Goarshausen or the Loreley viewpoints across the river.
Did you know? Despite the name, no cat is involved. 'Katz' is simply the short form of Katzenelnbogen, the counts who built the castle around 1371, giving one of the Rhine's longest family names its snappiest possible nickname.
How long is a visit to Burg Katz?
Set aside roughly ~20 min for Burg Katz. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Burg Katz worth your time?
Burg Katz is among the 13 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Rhine Valley, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Rhine Valley
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Burg Katz and read more:
Day 2 of the Rhine Valley in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Burg Katz
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