The history of Lahnstein extends far back to the origins of the Rhine Valley in the late Stone Age around 3000 BC. In the last quarter of the 3rd century AD, the Romans settled at the mouth of the Lahn and built a Roman burgus in order to protect the Rhine border. It was this tower made of stone, which was called the ‘solid house on the Lahn’ in the Middle Ages, that gave the town its name.

The bishop’s castle of Lahneck was built in 1240 as the most northern stronghold of the bishopric of Mainz. Visitors should have a look at the pretty chapel, the fascinating knights’ hall, and the precious collection of furniture and paintings.

In the 14th century, two town walls with moats, ditches, and 16 towers were built to enhance Lahnstein’s fortifications. With the Martinsburg, its hexagonal keep being the oldest remaining part, yet another castle exists in Lahnstein, situated on the bank of the Rhine. Parts of the battlemented medieval town wall still exist, for example the witches’ tower that today houses a historical assembly hall and a museum.

The Romanesque Salhof was built around 1160. In the Hochstraße, there are still a number of historical burghers’ houses and the old town hall, a Gothic half-timbered house from around 1500. The ground floor was once used as a court and market hall. The Cloister of St. Johannis in Niederlahnstein with its Romanesque basilica dating back to the 12th century is the oldest gallery church in the Middle Rhine region.

The Romanesque Dietkirchener-Hof from 1170 on the bank of the Lahn is also interesting, as well as the - slightly newer - famous Wirtshaus an der Lahn from 1697, which even Goethe wrote about. In addition, the Lahn Valley offers numerous leisure-time activities, such as aquatic sports or walking tours in the Ruppertsklamm nearby.