Bacharach21 Burg Stahleck - high above the Rhine-valley - dates back to the year 1135 but it was destroyed by French troops in 1689. In 1828 it was sold to crown-prince Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia, who wanted to restore it as a residence for his wife, Elisabeth of Bavaria. But soon he found out it was impossible to completely restore it, so it was sold again and became a youth hostel in 1926. Today it might be the most beautiful hostel in Germany and built at one of the very best places above the Rhine-valley.