The Rhine Gorge is a popular name for the Upper Middle Rhine Valley with a distance of 65 Km between Rudesheim and Koblenz. The Rhine Gorge produces its own micro-climate which is great for the vineyard slopes and producing good wine. This area became the core region for the Holy Roman Empire. This area was also the center of the 30 Years War which caused the destruction of many of the castles.
Towns along the Rhine Gorge are Rudesheim (East), Bingen (West), Assmanashausen (East), Lorch (East), Bacharach (West), Kaub (East), Oberwesel (West), Sankt Goar (West) which is by the Loreley Rock (East), St. Goarshausen (East), Boppard (West), Braubach (East), Rhens (West), Lahnstein (East), and Koblenz (East and West).
You will sail by Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Km 592 is high on the Right Bank opposite of Koblenz where the Rhine River is joined by the Mosell River overlooking the town of Koblenz.
Katz Castle is above the German Town of St. Goarshausen in Rhineland-Palatinate. The castle stands on a ledge looking downstream from the riverside at St. Goar. This castle was bombed by Napolean.
Deutsiches Eck is the name of the headland in Koblenz where the Mosell River joins the Rhine River. A statue of William I, was the first German Emperor in 1897.
Stolzenfels Castle is a castle fortress of Burg which was turned into a place near Koblenz on the left bank of the Rhine River.
Marksburg is a castle and the only hill top castle that wasn’t destroyed and stands above the town of Braubach.
Loreley is at 555 Km and sits on a slate rock on the right bank of the Rhine River at Sankt Goarshausen. This fabled rock is 430 feet above the river. Treacheros rocks have spelled disaster for many ships “Legend of the Lorelei” tells of a beautiful girl whose seduction song lured mariners to there doom to the rocks at the front of the cliff.
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle is a toll castle on Falkenau Island also known as Pfalz Island in the Rhine River near Kaub.
Bacharach is a town in Mainz-Bergen district.
Rheinstein Castle near the town of Trechtingshausen.
Mouse Towers is outside Bingen on the Rhine River across from Rudesheim.
Stahlich Castle is near Bacharack and it stands on a craig on the left bank.
Braubach and the Marksburg at Km 580 has a number of reminders of its historical past, including several half-timbered red houses. The Church of St. Barbara tower from 1200 and the Obertor gate-way-tower. By the river a rose garden offers views toward Marksburg the only fortress on the Middle Rhine to escape distruction.
Koblenz located at Km 591 and 592 where the Mosell and Rhine River meet. There is a statue of William I at the corner.
Middle Rhine is Km 590 to Km 527. In 1816 the first passenger stem ship “Prince of Orange” did the currents of the Rhine River. Within years the Middle Rhine between Koblenz and Rudesheim became a tourist attraction. The charming landscape with rugged fortresses, quaint villages, remote chapels and vineyards are very romantic. There are over 30 castles or ruins along the Rhine Gorge.
You will leave Rudesheim early in the morning. Have a light early breakfast and get on the sun deck with your camera. You can find blankets to wrap in the bins on deck. Mid-morning the staff passed out Rudesheimer Coffee which was so welcomed! This is a sail you don’t want to miss even a minute of. Just relax and enjoy. Your Cruise Manager will be commentating as you sail along.
Take special note of all the campers along the river. Yes, the train track runs along the river with multiple tunnels though the hills.
