Top sights to visit on the rhine
Cologne
The biggest city in the Rhineland, Cologne is an university city, an economic center with many international trade fairs, art and cultural center. The main landmark of the city is the Dom, the largest Gothic building north of the Alps. Equally important are the Town Hall (Renaissance entrance hall) and Gürzenich. The most important museums include The Roman-Germanic Museum, Wallraf-Richartz Museum – which is the most important art gallery of the Rhineland – and the Zeughart and Chocolate Museum. Cologne benefits of a vibrant music and theater scene with the Philharmonie, the 18,000-seat Kölnarena and Mediapark with Cinedom and Cologne Tower. Also, Cologne is famous for its carnival, “kölsch” beer and Eau de Cologne.
Bonn
Former German capital between 1949 and 1990, Bonn is Beethoven’s birthplace. Worth to visit places are the University and Hofgarten as well as Poppelsdorf Castle and the Botanical Garden. Not to miss:Beethoven’s house and the former government quarter with Langer Eugen (which houses the UN offices) and the Post Tower.
Siebengebirge
This is a unique volcanic mountain group named after the most prominent peaks: Drachenfels, Grosser Ӧlberg, Petersberg, Löwenburg, Wolkenburg, Lohrberg and Nonnenstromberg.
Koblenz
Located at the confluence of Moselle and Rhine – Deutsches Eck (German Corner), where the equestrian statue of William I sits. The city’s medieval core is still recognizable in the Old Town. Koblenz has a lovely river promenade and a wine village. The popular beauty spot in town is Rittersturz.
Loreley
The 132 m high legendary rock rises steeply above the Rhine, which is about 90 m wide at this spot. The siren Loreley is supposed to have lured passing sailors to their death. When water level falls, the hazardous reefs of Seven Virgins are visible. According to the legend, seven hard-hearted virgins were transformed into stones there. At the foot of Loreley Rock one can still hear a sevenfold echo.
Rüdesheim
An extremely popular tourist and wine resort with the famous Drosselgasse and the cable railway to theNiederwald Monument.
Mainz
State capital of Rheinland-Palatinate and university city famous for its carnival.