Germany · Ruin
Metternich Castle
Metternich Castle (also Burg Beilstein) is a medieval castle site above the river Moselle in the municipality of Beilstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. First mentioned in 1268 (possibly built earlier), it belonged to the Counts of Nassau-Dillenburg and later the House of Metternich; it was destroyed by French troops in 1689 and today survives as a ruin.
Its prime
1600
Today
Ruin
As it stood in 1600
What Metternich Castle looked like in its prime.
Perched above the Moselle near the village of Beilstein, the castle in its prime (c.1600) formed a compact stone enclosure on a riverside rise: continuous curtain walls containing multi-storey masonry living ranges with pitched tile roofs and defensive rooflines, punctuated by vertical tower masses and crenellated wall tops. From the river the silhouette reads as a clustered sequence of stone volumes and rooflines set against the hillside and village below; all masonry is intact and roofs cover the residential ranges.
Its story
The story of Metternich Castle.
Metternich Castle, also known as Burg Beilstein, sits within the municipality of Beilstein above the Moselle in Rhineland-Palatinate. First mentioned in 1268 and possibly built earlier, it was owned by the Counts of Nassau-Dillenburg until the first half of the 17th century; in 1637 it became the property of the House of Metternich, which gave the castle its present name.
French troops destroyed the castle in 1689 and it survives today as a ruin. The last member of the family to own it was Klemens von Metternich, one of the most famous diplomats of the Austrian Empire, who served as foreign minister from 1809 to 1848.
Step inside
3 places to explore in 1600.
The record describes 3 distinct spots at Metternich Castle — including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.
Create History
Recreate Metternich Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1600 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate this castle →Whose castle
Clans who held Metternich Castle.
The families that held Metternich Castle for a decade or more across its history — follow a name to its clan.
Nassau-Dillenburg
Held by the Counts of Nassau-Dillenburg until the first half of the 17th century.
Metternich
Property of the House of Metternich from 1637; Klemens von Metternich was the last family owner.
