Burg Osterspai is a former moated castle in Osterspai, a Rhine-side town near Boppard. Its surviving historic buildings make it a notable stop in the area, but the castle is privately owned and not freely accessible.
- Location: Burg Osterspai, 56340 Osterspai
- Access: exterior visit only; respect residents’ privacy
- Getting to Osterspai: road, rail, bus and Rhine ferry connections
Where Burg Osterspai is
Burg Osterspai stands in Osterspai, a town on the Rhine between Boppard and other communities along the river. The address is Burg Osterspai, 56340 Osterspai.
Road access to Osterspai uses the A3, A61, A1/A48 or the B9 on the Rhine’s left bank and B42 on its right bank. The town centre has a railway station and bus stops, so you can also plan a visit without driving.
The castle and its historical setting
Burg Osterspai is a former moated castle dating to 1302 and was a seat of the Lords of Liebenstein. After the last Liebensteiner died in 1637, a dispute over the estate involved the heirs von Carben and von Steinkallenfels and the new ruling family von Waldenburg. The Sponheim castle fief was granted to the barons von Preuschen in 1793.
Surviving features include a residential tower with a half-timbered addition built in 1910, St. James’s Chapel and the wine-press house of the former Eberbacher Hof. The chapel has medieval paintings and remains a place of worship; it can also be used for civil and church weddings.
How do you get to Osterspai from Boppard?
You can reach Osterspai from Boppard by road, train or ferry, depending on how you are travelling along the Rhine.
- By road: Osterspai is accessible via the A3, A61, A1/A48 and the B9 or B42, depending on which side of the Rhine you approach from.
- By ferry: the Boppard–Kamp-Bornhofen/Filsen car and passenger ferry crosses the Rhine. You can call 06742-2953 for ferry information.
- By rail or bus: Osterspai’s station and bus stops are in the town centre. The town can also be reached by train in a few minutes from the ship landing stages at Braubach and Kamp-Bornhofen.
For more context on local connections, see Boppard stations and local travel.
Visitor access and current use
Burg Osterspai is private property, not freely accessible, and only an exterior visit is possible. Respect residents’ privacy and do not assume you can enter the grounds or buildings. The castle is not wheelchair accessible.
The large wine-press house and spacious castle garden are used for celebrations and social and cultural events, and the garden can be hired. Because access and use may change, check the official site before you go. The castle contact listed by regional tourism is +49 176 22600520 and info@burggarten-osterspai.de.
Other Boppard-area stops
Burg Osterspai is one of several historic castles around Boppard; Burg Sterrenberg is another stop to consider on a castle-focused outing.
Each castle has its own history and visitor access, so check the details before planning your route.
Burg Liebenstein also makes a relevant stop for visitors interested in the region’s castle history.
Burg Osterspai is about 40 minutes by car from Residence Bellevue.
For a Boppard base for a castle outing, consider Residence Bellevue.
FAQs
Can you go inside Burg Osterspai?
No. The castle is privately owned, and only an exterior visit is possible.
Where is Burg Osterspai?
It is in Osterspai at Burg Osterspai, 56340 Osterspai.
Can you visit St. James’s Chapel?
The chapel remains a place of worship and can be used for civil and church weddings. The castle is not freely accessible, so arrange access rather than assuming the chapel is open to visitors.
Is Burg Osterspai wheelchair accessible?
No. The castle is not reachable by wheelchair.