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Post by whatagain on May 4, 2022 21:28:28 GMT
From Koeln i decided to make a detour to see the Loreley.
Becauseci had been there 30 years ago and i remembered it was beautiful.
Loreley is a hill at the narrowest and shalliwest point of ghe Rhine. The story is that a woman called Loreley was waiting for her lover who, typical of men, never came back to her. So she committed suicide by jumping into the water but was transformed into a siren, and typical if women held a grudge against all men.
So she sits on top of the hill, combs her hair and sings. The sailors are enchanted and lose control of their ships and crash.
The Rhine has always been a communication artery and therefore a lot of powerful families built castles to control it and collect taxes, fees or tolls.
Sankt Goar saw a castle being built by the Rheinfells in XIIIth. Enlarged, it went from.family to family and conquered by the French who, typical of the French, blew it just after napoleonic times.
A guy bought the ruins, sold a lot of stones until eventually the vestiges were preserved.
Whatagain revisited them.
Fillw the guide please.
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Post by whatagain on May 4, 2022 21:34:42 GMT
Schloss means castle.  They built large walls back then.  This is facing land. The other side surplombs the Rhine.  A castle has always a bridge.  That is the high batteey. Each opening had a cannon.  The house was a later addition.  The car came also later. Could it be a Rills Royce ?  The view on the Rhine. With perfect weather, i was lucky.  I played with the panoramic function.   |
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Post by whatagain on May 4, 2022 21:40:57 GMT
The side facing the Rhine.  Impressive, no ? I climbed those stairs.  The view on the town.  That is the oldest part.  Cannon would be here.  Notice the tower on the left  I love that roof.  Remember that tower ? We are inside. The stairs are in need of repair.  |
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Post by whatagain on May 4, 2022 21:45:58 GMT
There was a uninteresting museum, showing things that have no relation to the Schloss. Like these nites, that i found smartly put together. After WW1, Germany had to repay France and Belgium, and maybe UK for war damages. Clemenceau was very hard on Germany and the situation deteriorated fast in Getmany. The notes if 5, 10 marks (only) date from 1922. In 1923 these notes were of 5000, 10 000. Quite an inflation.  This machine was invented by a French, called Guillotin (or Guillotine) and one beheaded their king. Putting it above what Germans often call a Pissoir (ugliest word) sgould make it a guillopine.  I finally came to see the Loreley but was on the wrong side of the Rhine, so didn't go up.  Every 3 to 5 kms there is a fort, castle, fortress, whatever. Some are in ruins, other are hotels...  Another one here.  The regiin is the SIM city. Inhabitants are the Sims i guess it will please my daughters to learn it.  |
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Post by bixaorellana on May 4, 2022 22:44:19 GMT
This is fascinating, Whatagain -- love the pictures and the tour you gave us, with the amusing asides.
The castle is so strategically placed -- nobody was going to sneak up on them by land, river, or over that tall hill.
Those stairs are scary -- maybe even scarier to descend than going up.
I absolutely love going way up high and looking down over the landscape and this castle afforded you some particularly interesting and varied views.
Being of the half of humanity which does not use a urinal, I nevertheless had a full body cringe upon seeing where the castle's pissoir was placed.
Loreley hill is most impressive. That whole area must be fascinating for geologists. Lotta lotta towers, too!
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Post by lagatta on May 4, 2022 23:01:59 GMT
Are both banks of the Rhine German in this region?
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Post by mich64 on May 4, 2022 23:08:34 GMT
How fortunate for you whatagain that you are able to combine some sightseeing time along with your job appointments! I like the photo overlooking the town.
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Post by whatagain on May 5, 2022 5:32:40 GMT
Are both banks of the Rhine German in this region? Yes. The border is with Belgium, i would say 100 kms west. ThecRhine becomes the border alongside France, near Strasbourg. |
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Post by whatagain on May 5, 2022 5:33:58 GMT
How fortunate for you whatagain that you are able to combine some sightseeing time along with your job appointments! I like the photo overlooking the town. Thanks. Yes it makes me feel like i do less stupid business trips when i can sightsee a little bit... Itvusuakly means i work more in the evening, but what is else to do in a hotel anyway... |
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Post by tod2 on May 5, 2022 10:06:41 GMT
I think you have got it worked out perfectly Whatagain! Working, sightseeing then working again.
Your photos brought back many good memories of our trip in a motorhome 42 years ago. We criss-crossed the Rhine all the way down as we headed back to Frankfurt.
I was hoping maybe you also arrived at the entrance to Schloss Johannisberger. A favourite wine of mine.
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Post by kerouac2 on May 5, 2022 15:29:14 GMT
I like following the Rhine so it is always nice to see the places along it. All of the historical rivers of Europe are fascinating. I have known too many people on business trips who just hole up in their hotel (or the hotel bar) and have no interest in what is outside the door.  |
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