Castles

Unfortunately, it was gray and misty as we began our cruise down the Rhine, but we were able to spot the Niederwald Monument we had seen the day before.

Burg Klopp above Bingen.

The Binger Mäuseturm ("the Mice Tower of Bingen"), a customs tower built in 1298 on an island between the Rhine's shores. Its name is part of a legend in which the villanous archbishop Hatto of Mainz plays a major role. To eradicate poverty, he had burnt a number of poor people in a shed, ironically commenting on their death cries: "Hear, hear how the mice squeak!" As punishment by the heavens he was plagued by mice, and he fled to the tower to secure himself. But the mice crossed the Rhine to the island, penetrated the tower, and devoured the bishop alive.

Burg Pfalzgrafenstein with Burg Gutenfels in the background. Burg Pfalzgrafenstein is a toll castle on the Falkenau island, otherwise known as Pfalz Island in the Rhine river near Kaub, Germany. Known as "the Pfalz", this former stronghold is famous for its picturesque and unique setting. Its keep, a pentagonal tower with its point upstream, was erected 1326 to 1327 by King Ludwig the Bavarian. Around the tower, a defensive hexagonal wall was built between 1338 to 1340. Later additions were made in 1607 and 1755, consisting of corner turrets, the gun bastion pointing upstream, and the characteristic baroque tower cap. The castle functioned as a toll-collecting station that was not to be ignored, as it worked in concert with Burg Gutenfels and the fortified town of Kaub on the right side of the river. A chain across the river forced ships to submit, and uncooperative traders could be kept in the dungeon until a ransom was delivered. The dungeon was a wooden float in the well.

Gutenfels ?

We approach the famous Lorelei, a rock on the eastern bank of the Rhine near St. Goarshausen, which soars some 400 feet above the water line. It marks the narrowest part of the river between Switzerland and the North Sea. A very strong current and rocks below the waterline have caused many ship accidents there.

Lorelei is also the name of one of the beautiful legendary Rhine Maidens who lured navigators of this river to their dooms with their alluring singing, much as the ancient Greek Sirens did. At the base of the rock is a statue of this maiden.

The Schoenburg Castle, or fortress, dominates this little village called Oberwesel. First mention of the castle was about 850 years ago, and shortly after its construction it went into the hands of the family that began calling themselves "Von Schoenburg". The last family memeber, a Count, fell in battle and is buried with honors in Westminster Abbey In London. The castle was destroyed in 1689 during Louis XIV's crusade against the Rhineland, and later rebuilt. Now there is a youth hostel there as well as a hotel and restaurant.

The Maus Castle?