Pfalzgrafenstein

#158 Burg Pfalzgrafenstein
Rheinland-Pfalz, Bavaria, Germany
1327 and 1339-42 and later
This is NOT an official Lego site

Wasser Burg [Water Castle] Pfalzgrafenstein was originally conceived as a toll station on a tiny island called Falkenau in the middle of the upper Rhine River at Kaub, about halfway between Wiesbaden and Koblenz. The original pentagonal tower was commissioned by King Ludwig [Louis] IV of Bavaria in 1327, the year he also became King of Italy (and the year before he became Holy Roman Emperor.)] The first tower was about 40 feet [12 metres] tall. In 1339 through 1342 Ludwig augmented the tower with a hexagonal defensive wall. Corner towers and a gabled roof to protect customs revenue were added in the 15th century, perhaps after the castle passed to Count Philipp of Katzenelnbogen in 1477. The lords of Katzenelnbogen became quite wealthy from the lucrative customs tariffs. Ice flow damage in 1606/7 led to further additions, and the Baroque painting of the castle also occurred at this time.

The castle is located about 525 feet [160 M] from the west bank of the Rhine, but in pre-modern times a cataract just above the castle caused wild currents, making passage on that side of the river very precarious. Thus ships were obligated to pass via the 360 foot wide [110 M] east channel, between Pfalzgrafenstein's guns mid-river, and the fortified town of Kaub at river's edge and mighty Burg Gutenfels high on the bank above. At one point a chain across the river blocked the passage of uncooperative traders! Two levels of gun ports were topped by a small arms gallery as gunpowder became the prevalent weapon. The old photo on the left shows Pfalzgrafenstein about 1900, paint completely worn off.

The castle's island was used in 1814 by Prussian Field Marshal Blücher as passage for his 60,000 troops in pursuit of Napoleon, and the castle continued to be a toll station until 1867, about one year after the castle was acquired by the Prussian government. It was used as a signal station for another century, becoming the property of the State of Rheinland-Pfalz in 1946. The island is completed flooded during a typical spring thaw [lower right picture] and the island featured no trees in 1900 [mid-left picture], when the Baroque paint had completely worn off. That paint job has been reproduced in recent years, to please the many tourists. The "Baroque" roof on the tower was not added until 1714, bringing the donjon's height to almost 120 feet [36 M], but like the modern exterior paint, the roof is so uniquely beautiful that I will try to reproduce it for my model.

Photos of the Lego Model Under construction in early March through May, 2017

Construction begins on March 4, with the basic hexagon laid out on blue baseplates.	By the next day the general features of tiny Falkenau Island are in place...	...with placement of the entrance staircase critically important.	March 6 sees completion of the island, awash and flooded with the Spring thaw each year.


The following day the preliminary gray outline is gone, and we can see the beginnings of the real fortress, the prow medium nougat (=dark flesh) and the remaining base whitewashed.	March 8 is devoted to building the structural framework upon which the courtyard and donjon will rest...	The grid is 16 studs wide but just 6 deep, to perfectly accommodate 6-wide light gray plates.	On March 19 the donjon's position has been identified and the main support columns have been laid out. But what Lego to use for the pale rose-colored granite of The Pfalz?


Tan wins out over light gray, and the next several days are spent building up the courtyard. Now we wait for a large order of white arches from Germany...	Arches in hand, work resumes on March 21: the ground floor gallery is almost ready the cannon.	The donjon is a little taller and the entrance passage flanked with deadly halberds!	Soon the gallery is roofed and the second level of cannon ports is now outlined.


By the end of March, the second level is mostly complete and the donjon is tall enough for the addition of the bridge to its only entrance (at level 3).	The castle entrance is framed and the external portcullis is place!	A temporary golden figure highlights the massive bartizan at the prow.	As the first week of April draws to a close, the third story gallery with its quartet of wooden bartizans is taking shape...	The golden lion now announces the toll castle to harried shippers. See the completed model below.

Photos of the Lego Model Built March - May, 2017

Let's begin our tour with the view from the NE - the view from Kaub and most ship's captains.	The view from the east features a cog and a carrack stopped to pay their toll.	The prow is an icebreaker for winter ice floes.	The prow end of the castle was roofed in the late medieval period to protect booty from weather.	The less seen view from the SW has fewer cannon bays due to the latrines.	The only two chimneys at Pfalzgrafenstein are on the west side, one for the small kitchenette.


On the opposite end of the castle is the only entrance...	...which is at the top of a solid wooden stair due to Spring flooding.	The gate is protected by an exterior portcullis. The only other I know is Kuressaare in Estonia.	Here is a nice view of the trouble facing reluctant sea merchants: myriad gun and cannon ports!	Atop the icebreaker prow is an intimidating bartizan with three cannon ports...	...and a golden lion holding the shield crest of the Katzenelnbogen lords.


The roughly triangular roof over the prow proved one of the greatest challenges of this build...	...incorporating 3 turrets, 14 windows and a cupola.	Here is a picture of the inner face of the prow storage area.	Equally complex is the northwest end of the hexagonal castle, with 2 levels of cannon bays,...	...the balcony, the gallery and entrance passage in the north wall.	Here is a "ground" level view of the courtyard...


...which surrounds the old tower.	This picture, and the courtyard yard show the single entrance to the donjon...	...which has its own pentagonal roof, also sporting a cupola atop.	Rowboats paddle out to the passing ships to collect "tolls".	Here is a close-up of my carrack...	...and my cog, with angry merchants and crews.


Restoration Drawing	Plans of the Castle	Restoration Drawing	Restoration Drawing


Ground floor Lego plan	1st Floor Lego Plan	2nd Floor Lego Plan	Turret Level Lego Plan was never drawn

Build Your Own

Northeast Lego Elevation	Lego Elevation & Cross-section