Burg Sooneck, Niederheimbach, Germany

I did not do a whole lot of research before coming to Germany. As I have said my purpose for this trip is to get out of town for a while and visit some old friends. So there has been a lot of pleasing surprises as I explore and discover what Germany to offer. I am thrilled by the natural beauty here. It is lush and green with thick forests and beautiful tall trees. And I am completely surprised and astounded by the Castles I am seeing. I did not expect castles!

Burg Sooneck, Niederheimbach, Germany

Burg Sooneck, Niederheimbach, Germany

Castles are an unmistakable feature of the Rhine landscape.  In the narrow gorge connecting Bingen and Koblenz, which has a length of only thirty-five miles, there are more castles than in any other river valley in the world. Many are ruins, but some have been restored as hotels and are open for tours. They stand like sentinels on the cliffs above river side villages, and others stand alone surrounded by vineyards. It is like traveling through a fairytale.

Many of their founders were feudal overlords, who built them to protect their lands from marauders. Others were owned by marauding knights themselves.

Over the last several days I have been able to explore several of these castles and they are truly amazing. One can not help but to fantasize about the history of these structures and wonder what life was like in the heyday of these kings and knights.

The Burg Sooneck castle is claimed by many to be one of the most chivalrous castles on the River Rhine. Built in the 11th century, the castle served as a fortress to the legendary “Robber Barons”. I found it to be one of the most photogenic with it’s classic storybook architecture, beautiful gardens, and setting above the river.

Burg Ehrenfels castle ruin on the hill side surrounded by a wine vinyard  above the Rhine River, Bingen, Germany

My imagination was only fueled when we visited the beautiful village of Bacharach and attended a small medieval festival at the in the shadow of a Burg Stahleck.

Burg Stahleck overlooking the town of Bacharach, Rhine valley, Germany

The festival had fully costumed participants with traditional crafts, food, and music. The afternoon culminated with a battle between knights the prize being the victorious first knight’s right to his choice of a village maiden.