Lahnstein

Lahnstein
Lahnstein and the Lahn Valley
Lahnstein and the Lahn Valley
Coat of arms of Lahnstein
Location of Lahnstein within Rhein-Lahn-Kreis district
Lahnstein is located in Germany
Lahnstein
Lahnstein
Lahnstein is located in Rhineland-Palatinate
Lahnstein
Lahnstein
Coordinates: 50°18′04″N 7°36′20″E / 50.30111°N 7.60556°E / 50.30111; 7.60556
CountryGermany
StateRhineland-Palatinate
DistrictRhein-Lahn-Kreis
SubdivisionsOberlahnstein and Niederlahnstein
Government
 • Lord mayor (2021–29) Lennart Siefert[1]
Area
 • Total36.85 km2 (14.23 sq mi)
Elevation
74 m (243 ft)
Population
 (2022-12-31)[2]
 • Total18,433
 • Density500/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
56112
Dialling codes02621
Vehicle registrationEMS, DIZ, GOH
Websitewww.lahnstein.de

Lahnstein (German pronunciation: [ˈlaːnʃtaɪn]) is a verband-free town of Rhein-Lahn-Kreis in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is situated at the confluence of the Lahn with the Rhine, approximately 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) south of Koblenz. Lahnstein was created in 1969 by the merger of the previously independent towns of Oberlahnstein (or Upper Lahnstein) on the south side of the Lahn (above the river mouth) and Niederlahnstein on the north side (below the river mouth). In 2020, it had a population of 18,030.

Situated on the heights of the foothills of the Westerwald and the Taunus, Lahnstein is considered a fresh-air spa city with spa facilities and thermal baths. It is also the seat of a district court. In religious affairs, it is assigned to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Limburg and to the Evangelical Church in Hesse and Nassau.

Because of its strategic importance on the Rhine, Lahnstein was heavily fortified. Many old gates and towers still demonstrate its importance in the Middle Ages. Lahneck Castle, situated high above Oberlahnstein, was built between 1240 and 1245 and served as a residence of the Archbishop-Electors of Mainz. Other sights in Lahnstein include Martinsburg Castle on the bank of the Rhine in Oberlahnstein, the Allerheiligenbergkapelle, St. John's Abbey (Johanneskloster), and the Rheinsteig hiking trail.

  1. ^ Oberbürgermeisterwahl 26. September 2021, Stadt Lahnstein, accessed 1 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Bevölkerungsstand 2022, Kreise, Gemeinden, Verbandsgemeinden" (PDF) (in German). Statistisches Landesamt Rheinland-Pfalz. 2023.