Germany's Stahleck Castle featured

One hundred years of youth hostels in Germany: a visit to Stahleck Castle
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4600941,00.html

One century ago, the first ever youth hostel opened its doors in Germany. Currently, more than 10 million people stay in youth hostels every year. But one German youth hostel has an even longer history.

...The castle first appears in historical records dated around 1135 and has enjoyed a very colourful history since. The counts of the region once used it as their headquarters, preserving their fortune through taxes on the local population and customs charges for visiting traders. But they weren't to have things all their own way. The castle changed hands many times during the Thirty Years War, and was eventually conquered - and virtually flattened - by French soldiers in the 17th century.

After a lengthy rebuilding process during the early 20th century, the castle was officially reopened as a youth hostel in June 1926.

Photo c. TimDan2