R&R on the Rhine - Upper Rhine Valley

R&R on the Rhine - Memphis to Amsterdam
R&R on the Rhine - Viking Bestla
R&R on the Rhine - Amsterdam
R&R on the Rhine - Kinderdijk
R&R on the Rhine - Cologne
R&R on the Rhine - Marksburg Castle
R&R on the Rhine - Upper Rhine Valley
R&R on the Rhine - Rudesheim
R&R on the Rhine - Heidelberg Castle
R&R on the Rhine - Heidelberg and Speyer
R&R on the Rhine - Strasbourg
R&R on the Rhine - Black Forest
R&R on the Rhine - Colmar
R&R on the Rhine - Zurich Day 1
R&R on the Rhine - Zurich Day 2
R&R on the Rhine - Zurich to Memphis

One of the highlights of the trip was Easter Sunday afternoon when we sailed through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley.  This is a river valley with castles everywhere you turn, many located on cliffs high above the river.  Along the way there are railroad tunnels with entrances disguised as churches to try to deceive would-be Nazi bombers, steep vineyards on both sides and little towns dotting the way.  UNESCO has deemed this area a World Heritage Site because of its "importance as a transportation route for 2000 years", its "outstanding organic cultural landscape" and as "an outstanding example of an evolving traditional way of life and means of communication in a narrow river valley".

We were thrilled it was such a lovely day as we were able to sit up on the sun deck in our lounge chairs and listen to our cruise director narrate what we were seeing as the scenery came to us.  It was great to be able to just kick back and take a load off our feet!  Loads of photos, most of which I don't have a description for, but hopefully they paint an interesting portrait of the area.



Train tunnel disguised from above!

This area is also where the myth of the Lorelei has its origins. Officially the Lorelei is a large rock that sits at a bend in the river, rising some 120m above it.  This is where the river is most narrow and with the strong current there have been many boat accidents here.  The name comes from an old German word lurein meaning "murmuring" and the Celtic word for "rock", ley.  Combined they are the "murmuring rock".  The heavy currents here, along with a small waterfall that once existed give the area its name.  The other version of the story is that the Lorelei maiden (mermaid?) sat on this rock to sing to the sailors and lure them to their death.


The Lorelei Statue

R&R on the Rhine - Marksburg Castle

R&R on the Rhine - Memphis to Amsterdam
R&R on the Rhine - Viking Bestla
R&R on the Rhine - Amsterdam
R&R on the Rhine - Kinderdijk
R&R on the Rhine - Cologne
R&R on the Rhine - Marksburg Castle
R&R on the Rhine - Upper Rhine Valley
R&R on the Rhine - Rudesheim
R&R on the Rhine - Heidelberg Castle
R&R on the Rhine - Heidelberg and Speyer
R&R on the Rhine - Strasbourg
R&R on the Rhine - Black Forest
R&R on the Rhine - Colmar
R&R on the Rhine - Zurich Day 1
R&R on the Rhine - Zurich Day 2
R&R on the Rhine - Zurich to Memphis

Easter morning arrived in a blaze of glory. OK, I don't know that for sure since I wasn't awake at sunrise but it was a beautiful day. We docked in Koblenz and boarded motor coaches for Marksburg Castle.  From where the ship is docked, we couldn't see the castle but could tell we were climbing a steep hill.  Even from the parking lot, the trees obscured much of the view so it was quite the amazing site when we hiked up close enough that we could finally see it.

Marksburg Castle as viewed from the port in Braubach

When you're a kid and you think about a castle what comes to mind? Large stone walls, small windows, circular towers/turrets with flags on top, the top of the walls crenellated and suited for shooting cannons or arrows, giant wooden doors, a torture dungeon, a moat and drawbridge are high on the list.  Marksburg Castle has all of these except the moat and drawbridge.  Frankly, it didn't need them, what with being up on top of a small mountain and all.  Any invading troops would be worn out from the hike up - and indeed, it was never attacked during the countless wars through the centuries.  It was even preserved during World War II as was not near enough to any major cities or military bases to be in danger.  But it is strategically located on a bend in the river, a perfect place for collecting taxes on all the products being shipped up and down the river.  Ostensibly the taxes were to help pay for keeping the tow paths clear on either side of the river, but the lords of various castles may have raised the "tax" a bit to pad their own pockets too.

Cannons over the Rhine

Misbehave and you'll find yourself in the stocks

Sample of how Marksburg's armor changed over the years

At over 800 years old, Marksburg is the best-preserved castle on the river and retains nearly all of its original construction.  It is quite a steep walk up to the castle from the parking lot and once inside there are cobblestones and other uneven footing but if you don't have an issue with that, I highly recommend a visit.


Beautiful tapestry in the breakfast nook



Large castle population = Large kitchen

Huge kitchen table

When our visit was complete, we took the motor coach back down the hill.  While we were touring the ship had moved to the dock in Braubach and from there we were able to get a view of a majestic castle on a hill.