The first documented mention of Burg Reichenstein dates from 1208. Following this, the Burg Reichenstein was attributed to Ludwig III of Reichenstein between 1310 and 1320 for the protection of his territory and possibly as a customs station.
Since the 16th century, it has been considered a ruin and was destroyed in 1618 by its then-owner Count zu Wied when the Count of Sayn intended to acquire it. Since then, the ruin has continued to decay and was in private ownership until the 20th century. In recent years, the ruin has been managed by an association, and extensive restoration work has been carried out, including the establishment of the Walpodenstube, which can accommodate approximately 30 guests.
The castle can be visited at certain times, and festivals and events also take place in and around the castle. In addition to the foundations of the other castle buildings and a partially filled-in well, which was formerly 40 meters deep, the still towering ruins of a four-story residential tower give the ruin its characteristic appearance.
The Royal Palace was built in the first half of the 19th century as the Norwegian residence of King Charles III, who also reigned as king of Sweden and otherwise resided there, and is the official residence of the present Norwegian monarch. The crown prince resides at Skaugum in Asker west of Oslo. The palace has 173 rooms.
Until the completion of the Royal Palace, Norwegian royalty resided in Paleet, the magnificent town house in Christiania that the wealthy merchant Bernt Anker bequeathed to the State in 1805 to be used as a royal residence. During the last years of the union with Denmark it was used by the viceroys of Norway, and in 1814 by the first king of independent Norway, Christian Frederick.