Marksburg Castle and Loreley Scenic Viewpoint, Sankt Goarshausen, Germany

Loreley Hill (Lorelei Rock) is one of the most famous landmarks along the Rhine River, located near the town of Sankt Goar.

Another famous castle in the Rhine Valley is the Marksburg Castle.

Marksburg Castle is one of the most well-preserved castles in the Rhein (Rhine) Valley, located near the town of Braubach in Germany. It stands proudly on a hill overlooking the Rhine River, offering spectacular views of the valley.

The castle on the top of the hill in the picture below is the Marksburg Castle.

I had to take two trains to reach this castle because the castle is located in other side of the river from Bachrach.

On the way to the castle

The back side

The castle entrance

Marksburg is unique because, unlike many other castles in the region, it was never destroyed or heavily damaged throughout its history, which makes it a rare example of medieval fortress architecture.

People are waiting for the tour guide.  The castle can be toured only with the castle tour guide.

Built around the 12th century, Marksburg Castle has been continuously inhabited and maintained. It was initially constructed as a military fortress, designed to protect the town of Braubach and secure control of the Rhine River.

Marksburg Castle is a quintessential example of medieval architecture, with its tall towers, thick defensive walls, and moats. It features a Romanesque keep, Gothic halls, and baroque artillery batteries, reflecting various stages of architectural evolution.

The strategic location of Marksburg provides sweeping views of the Rhine River, making it a popular destination for history enthusiasts and tourists exploring the Rhine Valley’s rich cultural landscape.

Marksburg is part of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore various parts of the castle, including the Great Hall, kitchens, chapels, and dungeons. The castle also features displays of medieval armor and weapons.

One of the standout features of the castle is its armory and fortifications, which show how castles were adapted to withstand sieges and house weapons.

I returned to the town below

Then, from the town, I took a bus to go to Loreley Hill, which is nearby.

The bus station on Loreley Hill was next to the visitor center, and the visitor center had two stone human figures that were gifts from South Korea.

To the river observation point.  The steep rock rises about 132 meters (433 feet) above the river, offering dramatic views of the winding river and the surrounding valley. Loreley Hill is famous not only for its stunning natural beauty but also for the legends and folklore surrounding it.

There are six viewing areas on the hill

I walked to the farthest viewing area. The Loreley is a prominent, steep rock formation that marks a narrow section of the Rhine River. This narrow bend in the river was historically dangerous for ships due to strong currents and reefs, contributing to its mystique and legendary status.

The Loreley rock is most famous for the myth of the Lorelei, a beautiful maiden who, according to legend, would sit atop the rock, singing and combing her golden hair. Her enchanting voice would lure sailors to their doom, causing their ships to crash on the treacherous rocks below.

This myth was popularized in literature, particularly through the poem “Die Lore-Ley” by German poet Heinrich Heine, and it has since become an iconic part of German folklore.

Another look of the same scene

Due to its location at a narrow point in the river, Loreley was historically a challenge for sailors navigating the Rhine. Strong currents and dangerous rocks made it a site of many shipwrecks, contributing to its fearsome reputation. In the 19th century, efforts were made to improve navigation by blasting some of the underwater rocks.

I came down to the town below. Instead of taking two trains, I took the ferry across the river and then a train to Bacharach.

The ferry that goes across the river

This is the only picture of the river from a boat. My plan was to take a river cruise on the Rhine between Goal and Bacharach, which is the most scenic part of the Rhine, but due to the flooding of the river, all river cruises were canceled when I wanted.

The town of Goar.  From here, I took the train back to Bachrach.