Fairytale Castles and Old world towns - along the Rhine River

The Rhine river has been of great importance, for both commerce and transportation, since the Middle Ages. The Feudal Overlords, of that era, built castles to protect their lands from intruders and hostile neighbors, placing them in strategic locations on the top of hills along the river banks, in this way they were able to control the flow of traffic and collect tolls from those using the river, thru their areas.

Between Mainz and Bonn there are about 40 castles overlooking the Rhine river, particularly in the 35 mile narrow gorge, connecting Bingen and Koblenz, where there are more castles than in any other river valley in the world, and where can be seen significant monuments at every turn of the river thru the Upper Middle Rhine Valley.

At the bend of the river, at St. Goar, is the remains of Rheinfels Castle once the biggest castles along the river. It was built in 1245 as a count's residence and center of courtly life, then in 1479 it was expanded to a fortress, the only military complex on the left bank of the river it was thought to be unbreachable but it was blown up by the French in 1794. Visiting, what remains of the castle, one can explore the museum, gardens, prison or walk thru the gigantic vault cellar and the labyrinth of subterranean mine galleries. Private group tours can be arranged in advance to include a guide. The castle is open mid March to October from 9am to 6pm, between November and March it is open only on Saturday and Sunday.

A lot has been written about the Lorelie Rock, perched on a hill top at the most dangerous section of the Rhine, across from the town of St Goar, and ballads have been written about the beautiful maiden who sits on the rock, The legend says she was despondent in love and would sit on the rock combing her long golden hair, while luring mariners to their death by crashing their barges at this bend in the river. It is a fact that St Goar was settled to save the mariners, who were shipwrecked here, and nurse them back to life.

On a tiny island in the middle of the Rhine, near Kaub Germany is Pfalz Castle, built in the 1326 by King Ludwig, it functioned to collect Tolls on the river, a chain was laid across the river forcing ships to stop and un-cooperative traders would be sent to the dungeon -a wooden float in the well - until a ransom was paid. Above is Gutenfels Castle, on the hill above the medevial town of Kaub, it dates back to 983, today it's main function is the wines of the district, whose vineyards can also be seen on the hillsides.

Visit this beautiful, interesting part of Germany where there are so many more ancient castles to see as well as modern towns and extensive vineyards.

Koblenz sits at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, in what is said to be Germany's most beautiful corner. Established in 8 BC as a military post, it is surrounded by four low mountain ranges. The city's fortress walls and towers, castles and palaces, monuments and parks and the beautiful river promenade, are all places to see reminders of the history of the town, when it was occupied by the Franks, captured by the Prussians and a residence of German Prince Electors. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, high above the Rhine, towers over the town with its the equestrian statue of Emperor William I. In the town's historic square are medevial churches, restored historic house fronts, wine taverns, sidewalk cafes and indoor/outdoor restaurants, where visitors can emerse themselves in the history of this 2000 year old town.

Another ancient city along the Rhine is Cologne established in 38 BC, it is today a major cultural center with over 30 museums and hundreds of Galleries. Most well-known among them is Cologne Cathedral, whose construction began in 1248 and took until 1880 to be completed, it stands on the original site of a 4th century temple. It's twin Spires are 516 feet tall, the tallest on any church. Admission is free between the hours of 6am and 7:30pm daily, visitors can climb the 509 steps of the spiral staircase to a viewing platform 98 metres above the ground. The most celebrated work of art in the Cathedral is the "Shrine of the Three Kings", dating from the 13th century, it is said to contain the bones of the Three Wise Men. Another must see place in Cologne is the Imhoff-Schokoladen Chocolate Museum which was opened in 1993 and features the history of chocolate from the Olmacs, maya and aztecs until today's ways of production. I spent hours here when I visited, among it's attractions is the three-metre high chocolate fountain where visitors can get wafers dipped into the chocolate liquid and observe the process of the minature production machines that produce the small chocolate bars, which are given to guests as they enter the building. There is also a small tropiarium, porcelian bowls from the 18th and 19th century and a collection of historical chocolate vending machines. The really good part is, if you are on a river cruise, the museum is a short walk from where the boats dock.

Rudesheim is located in the heart of the Rhine river area at the entrance to the Lorelei Valley and is one of Germany's best wine growing areas. Drosselgasse is the heart of Rudesheim's old town with many beautifully decorated restaurants, during the summer there are live bands playing dance music in the many open-air garden and wine taverns. The old castle of Bromserburg, which dates back to the 10th century is now a wine museum with a collection of wine presses. The town has some of the most unusual colorful artictecture to be seen anywhere in Germany.

Cruising down the Rhine River in Europe, is not only a relaxing way to see the interesting towns along the way, but it gives one a view of the scenery, castles, vineyards, and way of life of the people of Germany as one enjoys all the amenities on the river ship.