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Situated at the head of the Binger Loch, Ehrenfels was a vital stratig point in the Middle Ages. It was here that the Archbishops of Mainz levied tolls, which, since this was the narrowest and most dangerous part of the journey along the Rhein, no ship could avoid paying. In times of war the treasures of Mainz Cathedral were held here for safe keeping. The castle was built in the first half of the 13th century, but destroyed in 1689, the ruins make a most picturesque sight. Open ruins. Permenently open for view. [Text taken from Castles On The Rhein] Mauseturm (Mouse Tower) Historical traditions and legends have grown up around the small tower in a small Rhine island on the outskirts of Bingen. It is a fact that even the Romans built a small fortifications here. During the reign of the Franconians though, this fell again and again. The small island tower did not awake from its historical sleep until Hatto II took over the Archbishop seat in Mainz in 968 and reigned Bingen. It had been an independent town de facto up until this time, but now the strict reign demanded considerable taxes and subordination from the people. According to legend, Hatto restored the island tower, and during his visits to the town he stayed there occasionally, thinking he was safe. One day he was forced to stay on the island after suddenly becoming ill. He was - so the story goes - overcome by thousands of mice and died shortly afterwards in Bingen in 970. Since that time this was called the "Mouse tower." In 1298 the tower was included in the customs boundary system of Ehrenfels Castle. In 1689, French troops destroyed the building. People did not remember its importance until 1855. The Prussians erected a signal tower on the island for shipping traffic and this remains today. There are other stories about the "Mouse Tower." But you will have to come to Bingen to hear them all. [Text taken from Tim Vogel's - 'The Symbols of Bingen Await You'] |
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------------ From a late 1800's 6 1/2" x 10" Studio Photograph Stamped: Frith's Series Marked: 15613. |
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------------ From Post WWI Collector Card Marked: Der Mauseturm bei Bingerbruck mit Schloss Ehrenfels |
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Ehrenfels near Rudesheim ------------ Photo Courtesy of Castles On The Rhein |
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------------ Photo Courtesy of John L. Stoddard's Lectures - Vol. 7 |