4/1/2024 (Afternoon) Cruising the Middle (Romantic) Rhine

 The middle Rhine, Rhine Gorge or Romantic Rhine (called this because of the number of castles here.  Most of the castles here were her to collect tolls from merchants travelling up and down the river.

Marksburg Castle

There was an optiona tour of Marksburg Castle, but the bus only goes about half way up to the top then you have to hike the rest of the way, plus many stairs inside.

We are starting to see vineyards on both sides of the river. It looks like quite a feat to work these vineyards because of the very steep hills they are on.

Beautiful Bavarian towns along the river as we pass

Sterrenberg Castle, shared a defensive wall with Liebenstein Castle and is still known as one of the two "Hostile Brothers" - a relic from the 16th story of their rilavry.

Leibenstein Castle

Maus Castle

The Maus Castle was dubbed "Mouse Castle" by the counts of the Larger nearby Katz Castle.

High on a cliff above the Rhine, is perched te ruins of a mighty 13th century fortress, Rheinfels Castle, Today, this castle is home to a hotel and museum.

Katz Castle

Present overlooking the Rhine since the 14th Century, Katz Castle was heavily damaged by Napoleon's forces in 1806 and rebuilt in the Victorian Era

The Loreley (or Lorelei) A dangerous stretch of the river with a tight bend, where legend has it that a siren would lure sailors to their death as they crashed into the rocks.

Schonburg Castle, built in 966 and burned by French troops in 1689, this reconstructed castle combines three medieval fortresses and towers, now with a renowned hotel and restaurant.

Gutenfels Castle

Pfalzgrafenstein, known as the Pfalz was built as a toll station on a small island in the middle of the river, built in the shape of a ship, with the bow pointed upstream.

The Pfalz along with the nearby Gutenfels Castle togrther made a formidable toll stop on the Rhine.

Stahleck Castle, this 12th cantury castle was repeatedly attacked by French troops during the 17th century wars, lay in ruins for 237 years.  Rebuilt in 1909, it is now Youth Hostel.

Sooneck Castle dates to 1834 when the Crown Prince of Prussia rebuilt it.

Ehrenfels Castle, this 13th century castle surrounded by ancient vineyards keeps watch over the narrow Rhine Valley.