Dragon Rock
53639 Koenigswinter, Administrative District of Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Description:
Dragon Rock, or Drachenfels, is located in Germany, above the city of Koenigswinter, on the right bank of the Rhine. This rock was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption. There is a legend that it was on this rock that Siegfried, the hero of the Germanic-Scandinavian epic, killed a dragon. In 1138, Bishop Arnold I founded Drachenfels Castle on the rock. The castle was built over 18 years. Throughout its history, the castle has repeatedly changed owners and been under siege. In 1778, part of the castle was destroyed as a result of the collapse of the rock.
At present, only ruins remain of the castle, the beauty of which was glorified in their poems by Byron and Heine. In 2007 they were completely restored. The ruins of Drachenfels Castle are included in the nature reserve "Semigorye".
The top of Dragon Rock can be climbed on foot or by donkey. But you can, and on the oldest geared railway in Germany, leading its history since 1883. From the cliff offers a magnificent impressive view of the Rhine Valley, Bonn and Koenigswinter.