Rheinfels Castle: From the Time of Thrones

Rheinfels Castle: From the Time of Thrones

The castle ruins of Rheinfels sits looking out on the enchanting Rhein River. Soaked in history, this mighty fortress was built in 1245 and stood strong in sieges from attacking armies. Today it awaits you to explore deep into its’ ruins. Only thing you need to bring is your imaginations of dragons, thrones, kings and knights!

The castle was built by Count Diether V von Katzeneln-bogen originally to protect the tax collectors from the town below, St Goar, and then it developed to be the one of the most massive fortresses in the Middle Rhine region. In 1962 the Rheinfels Castle was the only fortress left on the Rhine that could defend itself against the French attacks that were led by Louis XIV. The castle could not defend itself anymore and it was handed over without a struggle to the French Revolutionary army in 1796. Sadly, that is when the castle and the exterior walls were blown up.

Because of its tumultuous history, now visitors can explore the castles labyrinth of trenches, tunnels and towers.

When entering the castle, you first walk into the lively castle courtyard bakery where a maiden would buy her bread and a luxury hotel where a noble knight would spend a night.

There is a gift shop as well which is very popular with children because here you can suit up and buy a wooden shield and sword for the dragons that they might face once crossing into the castle walls. Okay, adults can wear the armor as well if they wish!

The first view you come to before the actual admissions window, is a breathtaking sight! Right away you can understand why the Count chose this powerful spot on the Rhein and why others would want to have it! I could stay there all day and watch the boats go up and down the river, but I had castle ruins to explore!

Entering the archway transports you to another time! A time where there were wars for thrones and power, so they had to give everything they had in order to defend themselves. These ruins still are strong and powerful.

We walked into the castles cellar which use to store food and wine since it stays so cool. Today it is used for torch lit weddings and events!

It was incredible to be able to touch the original doors and see the peak holes that were used to see if it was a friend or foe knocking at the door. Then you can walk into the narrow arched walkways they would enter. (If those walls could talk!)

Next we went into the mines! It is advised to bring sturdy walking shoes and flashlights for the dark parts of mines and tunnels.

The mines were fascinating and seemed endless! At times they are very dark and were a tight fit. I try to imagine what it was like for a guard on night watch roaming in the silenced dark mines.

Or look through one of the slits and see how hard it would have been to shoot an arrow through the crack to hit your enemy.

Then from the mines you can climb high up on a platform or a tower and soak in the beautiful view again.

There are many courtyards to be discovered while following the provide map. You will even come across a guillotine and an original castle well. Thanks to all of the horror movies I have seen, I couldn’t decide on which was creepier.

The Rheinfels Castle ruins is a magical place to visit and explore with your family. You are literally stepping into history with a real understanding of what it felt like living in this mighty castle while still enjoying the pure beauty of the Germany’s Middle Rhein valley.

Address: Schlossberg, 56329 St. Goar

Admission:

Adult: 5 euro

Children 6-14: 2,50 euro

Author’s Profile: Gemma is a Jersey Broad Abroad living in Wiesbaden, Germany, and she is enjoying her extended European vacation.

Niederwald Eagle Sanctuary

Niederwald Eagle Sanctuary


Ornithology is the study of birds and the term ‘birder’ is for bird
watchers that travel long distances to spot a rare bird. When a birder
sees a certain bird they check if off on their list. There is even a
24 hour World Series of Birding which is held in New Jersey every
year! Well if you can’t make it to the World Series of Birding you can
still home in your inner Ornithologist (that is just pecking to get
out) at the Niederwald Eagle Sanctuary located on top of the hills in
Rüdesheim.

First of all, this Eagle Sanctuary is located in one of the most
beautiful views I have ever seen. It is located right next to the
Niederwald monument on the top of Rüdesheim. You can get there by
going up the cable cars or driving up the mountain in your car to the
car park. No doubt these birds are living on some prime real-estate!

Founded in 1968, the mission of the sanctuary is to look after injured
birds of prey and owls. They also raise abandoned chicks. As soon as
the birds are either recovered or they are grown enough to be
released.

The sanctuary has 15 different species of bird of prey, with 30 to 35
birds in total. You can even catch the birds flight training from time
to time.

The sanctuary has wonderful woods with views of the Rhein around it
and it is a perfect place where you can end a hike! Some famous
locations nearby is the old town of Rudesheim, Bingen, Schloss
Johannisberg, and the Niederwald monument.

You can buy your tickets at the entry way. The entrance price is
adults € 4.50, and children 3-14 years it is € 3.00. There are also
family group rates for € 10.00.

The ticket man was very nice and we were ready to see his birds!

There is a path in the sanctuary where you can view the birds in their
cages. They had a lot of room and most of the time there was only one
bird per each cage.

We were looking at them and they were looking right back at us!

I think of the coolest things about the sanctuary compared to a zoo,
is that you know these birds will be back in the wild someday soon. So
now we have a rare opportunity to look at them so close and have a
connection with them, which you normally wouldn’t have.

The path was peaceful and didn’t feel like a zoo at all. It was
important for us to be quiet and respect the birds in the sanctuary.

The cutest of the day award went to the baby owls! One baby was
missing an eye. It felt good to know that he will be well taken care
of.

The most impressive and my personal favorite was the adult owl! His
talons were so impressive and to look into his eyes was really
amazing.

Right outside the sanctuary there is a restaurant with an incredible view!

Unless you have Ornithophobia (an abnormal and irrational fear of
birds), the Niederwald Eagle Sanctuary is a great place to go when you
want to leave your weekend living room nest!

Author’s Profile: Gemma is a Jersey Broad Abroad living in Wiesbaden, Germany, and she is enjoying her extended European vacation.

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Taunusstein Street Food Festival

Taunusstein Street Food Festival

A Street Food Festival is where, unlike the average German fest, here FOOD is the main event and not a side attraction! The Taunusstein street food festival offered an array of new treats and also long time favorites.

Street food festivals are so great because there is something for everyone’s taste. Also I love them because you can pace yourself and try many different foods. A great idea is to bring a food buddy and share everything so you are able to try more. So my little food buddy and I hit the trucks!

First truck that caught my eye were the amazing rice balls. I tried these at the Wiesbaden Street Food festival and even though they incredibly scrumptious I had to keep walking because they are so filling.

I asked my 5-year-old, food-sharing food-buddy if she wanted a falafel, which later I learned she thought I said ‘waffle’ so I ended up eating the whole thing myself. It is okay because it was fantastic!

The next truck had a very interesting part-appetizer, part-dessert: fried ice cream! I loved the photo of the happy little fried ice cream ball wearing shorts.

While we were there the winner for the longest line and which looked the most popular was the angus beef burger truck.

I love the diversity of this food fest because right next to it was a vegan burger truck, with a pretty good line as well!

Gotta love the vegan burger names!

Like any good German fest they had a wine stand!

If you were looking for another alcoholic drink other than wine, there was an Amato Wiesbaden Dry Gin stand. I love supporting local brewery’s, winery’s and distillery’s. The first thing I thought of was that this gin would make an awesome going away gift for a co-worker or friend so they can remember Wiesbaden. They have three classic flavors - juniper, citrus fruit peel, coriander. Then they also have more unusual botanicals such as thyme, tomato, cucumber and apricots. 

At the next truck I had a ‘where have you been all my life’ moment. It was a Choco Kebab truck! A kebab that was made from a cone wrap, shredded chocolate and whipped cream as sauce. The most awesome part of it all was that they SCRAPE the chocolate off a big hunk of “doner” chocolate! It is like a doner kebab stand in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory! (Is this what Oompa Loompa’s eat at 2am after a night out drinking?!)

After eating all of these different types of food, I said pass on the electric bull! But it was a nice idea for kids to try out.

For dessert my foodie buddy and I went for some good ole’ frozen yogurt. We love going to the frozen yogurt places back home in New York City with our besties, so we wanted a little taste of home.

We ate our frozen yogurt and listened to the Taunusstein Street Food Festival music man. Such a fun day! We look forward to the next street food festival in Germany!

Getting there:
Taunusstein-Hahn
Old Train station


Author’s Profile: Gemma is a Jersey Broad Abroad living in Wiesbaden, Germany, and she is enjoying her extended European vacation.