European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 5, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The keep of the Marksburg Castle a fortress that never  Castle a Tower of strength strategically placed atop the Steep Hills along Germany s Rhine River Marksburg Castle s 10-foot-thick Walls Row of cannons former Moat and deck where hot Oil could be poured on intruders below show the Castle s occupants have Long been ready for attack. Marksburg is the strongest stronghold on this Section of Rhine. Nothing has breached it not a Soldier an Arrow a Bullet a nothing except for one stray Allied Bombshell that left a Dent a foot deep in the Castle s West Wall. That May make for a Dull past a that the Castle has had six owners is the most tour guides can Muster. But if nothing else Marksburg has survived untouched to be one of the most authentic looking and Well kept castles on the Rhine the Castle is among the River s oldest dating to the 12lh Century. And strangely enough the Mark of those limes is left most conspicuously on the doorways. In keeping with the size of medieval people some doors Are Only 5 to b feet High. Moreover some stairways Are just slightly wider than visitors shoulders and Beds within measure 5 feet Long. Hut while Small on dimensions this Castle some 250 Teel above the Rhine is big on sights. A Row of 500-year-old cannons sits on one Terrace and a Garden with 80 kinds of plants even a special poisonous Section for torture rests on a walk leading around the Castle. Lodging trim an extensive museum of torture instruments below those plants probably weren t put to much use. Among the instruments is a Quot tickling  prisoners hands and feet w Ere shackled to this rank and their wrists were Slit. A guard then tickled their feel with a leather to Speed tin outgoing Low of blood from the laughing Vii lims. A museum of Armor and weapons upstairs is a bit More stately. In front of rows of Broadsword and Battle axes stand nine suits of Armor ranging from roman the Marksburg Castle sits on a Hill overlooking Braubach and the Road along the Rhine. Times to the crusades. Above fhe Entrance to the room is a chastity Belt a Metal set of underwear with a lock and key intended to keep bar Nesses faithful. A tour guide linked the Belt to the Oft told tale of a Baron who gave the key to a servant for safekeeping. The servant was put to death a after telling the Baron it was the wrong key. The floor above holds a Small domed Hall that despite its size served As the Castle s Chapel. Legend has it that a Monk and a count did Battle there after both fell in love with the same woman. The Monk won but was so Ridden with guilt he prayed in the room every Day for seven years. Also on that floor is a dimly lit dining room with a fireplace the size of a woodshed. It is far from extravagant but reflects the authenticity of one of the Rhine a oldest untouched castles. To reach Marksburg follow the signs from the City Center of Braubach a Small town directly South and across the Rhine from Koblenz. A Brent Stinski the Castle has had a Good View of the River and passing traffic for centuries. 6 stripes Magazine september 5, 1991