Its triple curtain walls form a regular pentagon of great defensive strength. The former moat at the entrance to the castle was once spanned by a drawbridge; today's entrance staircase dates back to 1900 and is a concession to modern tourism. The inner courtyard is entered through an early Gothic gate. The mighty keep is the central building in the castle courtyard. It was not only a watchtower and storehouse, it also served as a last refuge in the event of a siege. The inhabitants of the castle used to flee with the help of (rope) ladders into the only opening in the tower 12 meters above the ground. The ladders were then pulled up. And the three-meter-thick tower walls offered sufficient protection for the means of attack used at the time. Today's modern staircase makes it possible to climb the tower safely and enjoy the magnificent view.The well-crafted humpback ashlars clearly identify the keep as a building from the Staufen period.
The well is at least 23 meters deep and the five beautiful Gothic windows in the castle courtyard bear witness to the former palas, the residential building of the castle's inhabitants.
The castle probably owes its monumental extension to Bligger II of the Steinach family. He lived from 1152 to 1210 and was a gifted poet and minstrel.
He practised his art in the entourage of the two Hohenstaufen emperors Barbarossa and Henry VI, with whom he traveled all over Europe and came as far as Sicily and Jerusalem.
His three surviving poems and one miniature are documented in the Manessische Liederhandschrift, which is kept in the Heidelberg University Library.
The harp coat of arms he founded is still the coat of arms of Neckarsteinach today. Today, the Hinterburg belongs to the state of Hesse and is freely accessible at all times.
