David Garrett - Millennium Symphony Tour
David Garrett presents his Millennium Symphony against the historic backdrop of Burg Katz. A unique, high-class crossover rock experience.
Plizio Visual Lab
Katz Castle
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
Landmark
Weather…
Water temperature…
Katz Castle (Cat Castle) is situated above St. Goarshausen on the right bank of the Rhine and forms a historic defensive ensemble with Rheinfels Castle on the opposite bank. It was built around 1371 by Count William II of Katzenelnbogen as a toll and military fortress. Originally named Neu-Katzenelnbogen Castle, the shorthand 'Katz' quickly became popular, especially as a contrast to the nearby Maus Castle (Mouse Castle). In 1806, the fortress was blown up by Napoleon's troops and remained in ruins for over 90 years. Between 1896 and 1899, District Administrator Ferdinand Berg had the castle rebuilt in historicist style, incorporating the remaining remnants of the keep and the shield wall. The architecture is characterized by high towers and formidable walls that drop steeply towards the Rhine. The castle is now privately owned by a Japanese businessman and is therefore not open to the public for interior tours, but it remains a prominent part of the UNESCO World Heritage landscape.
- Location: Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
- Top sights: Katz Castle · Maus Castle · Rheinfels Castle
- Nearby: Boppard (13 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 60 | 51 | 52 | 44 | 70 | 65 | 67 | 71 | 52 | 57 | 61 | 69 |
📋 Practical info
Address
Burg Katz, 56346 St. Goarshausen
Hours
closed (private property)
Entry
no public access
Transit
St. Goarshausen station, view from the Rhine riverbank.
Parking
Parking spaces available on the Rhine riverbank in St. Goarshausen.
Accessibility
Not accessible, can only be viewed from the outside.
Photos
Best view for photos from the Maria Ruh viewpoint opposite.
Best time
Late afternoon for direct sunlight on the facade.
Audio guide
no
Geography
Facts
- The castle was built in 1371 to secure the County of Katzenelnbogen.
- The prominent round keep has a height of 40 meters.
- The shield wall facing the mountain is approximately 60 meters high.
- Napoleon Bonaparte personally ordered the castle to be blown up on January 2, 1806.
- The building sits on a rocky outcrop 100 meters above the Rhine valley.
- The castle was sold in 1989 to its current owner for about 4.3 million DM.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Katz Castle (6)
Freilichtbühne Loreley🎭 culture
Famous open-air amphitheater on the Loreley plateau, hosting major concerts and festivals.
🌐 loreley-freilichtbuehne.de🕒 Mo-Fr 08:30-19:30; Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 10:00-15:00; Jul 17-19
Rheingoldbad Werlau🎡 recreation
This outdoor pool in Werlau provides swimmers a wide view over the Rhine Valley.
🌐 hunsrueckmittelrhein.de🕒 Tu-Su,PH 10:00-19:00
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Burg Katz inside?
No, the castle is privately owned and closed to the public.
Where does the castle get its name from?
The name is derived from the builders, the Counts of Katzenelnbogen.
Where is the best view of the castle?
From the opposite side of the Rhine in Sankt Goar or from the Loreley, you have great views.
What is Burg Maus?
It is a neighboring castle; the name 'Maus' (mouse) arose as a counterpart to the more powerful 'Katz' (cat).
When was Burg Katz built?
The castle was built in the second half of the 14th century.
Katz Castle: where is it located?
Katz Castle is located in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
Katz Castle: what is there to see?
Highlights include Katz Castle, Maus Castle, Rheinfels Castle.
Katz Castle: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Katz Castle: why is it worth visiting?
Katz Castle (Cat Castle) is situated above St.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in Germany →
Nearby cities
Mainz
Mainz is the state capital of Rhineland-Palatinate and boasts over 2,000 years of history dating back to the Romans.
Ludwigshafen
Ludwigshafen is the largest city in the Palatinate and globally recognized as the headquarters of the chemical giant BASF.
Ludwigshafen
Ludwigshafen am Rhein is an important industrial location in Rhineland-Palatinate, home to the BASF Group.
Koblenz
Koblenz is located at the Deutsches Eck, the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine, and is a historic fortress city.
Trier
Trier in Rhineland-Palatinate is proudly the oldest city in Germany, founded by the Romans around 16 BC.
Kaiserslautern
Kaiserslautern is known for the Palatinate Forest and 1.
Worms
Worms is one of Germany's oldest cities, significant in the Nibelung legend and Reformation history.
Neuwied
Neuwied is on the Rhine and is often called the Dyke City.
Neustadt an der Weinstraße
Neustadt an der Weinstraße is a central hub of Palatinate viticulture, located at the eastern edge of the Palatinate Forest.
Neustadt
Neustadt an der Weinstraße is a center of German viticulture.
Frankenthal
Frankenthal is a medium-sized city between Worms and Ludwigshafen.
Pirmasens
Pirmasens was long the center of the German shoe industry.
Bad Kreuznach
Bad Kreuznach is a traditional spa town on the Nahe river.
Zweibrücken
Zweibrücken is the city of roses and horses.
Andernach
Andernach is one of the oldest cities in Germany, on the Rhine.