Rhein River, Germany - Lorelei

To start this post, here are two things: notice the rocks in the middle of the river, and then the boat is a ferry with cars that we talked about earlier.  I was shocked that it (the boat and the rocks) was so huge.

 Rock cliffs approaching "Lorelei".

 This is it. The Lorelei is a 433 foot high slate cliff.  The Rhein is about 82 feet deep here and only 371 feet wide. Because it is so deep and narrow, it is one of the most dangerous places on the river.

 There is an 1801 romantic ballad about this place.  Lorelei is a beauty from Bacharach (we saw that town earlier) who wants to take her life because her true love is unfaithful.  The bishop, fascinated by her loveliness and humility, decides to take her to a convent. When she is on the cliff, she looks and sees her true love riding away and in despair throws herself in to the turbulent water below.

Story #2 is written in 1810 as a fairytale.  The woman is distraught Lurley and sits on the rocks combing her long blond hair.  She lures barges in to their destruction.

 This is the statue.  It is difficult to see.

 Here is a closeup. Credit for the photo.

Burg Katz (Cats Castle) built in the second half of the 14th century. It was built to protect the Burg Rheinfels (Next). Napoleon blew it up in 1806.  1896 reconstruction to match the original as closely as possible. In 1989 it was purchased by Japanese and accommodates the hotel Cats Castle.  No tours are available.

 The town St. Goarshausen below Burg Katz.

 Ruin Rheinfels.  Known as a fortress.  It is open for exploration March through mid-November.

The town below Ruin Rheinfels.

 Another view of Rheinfels.  More info: http://www.loreley-info.com/eng/rhein-rhine/castles/rheinfels.php

 Berg Maus.  This is also called Thunberg. It is one of the most modern and technically interesting constructions of the time.  People had the opinion that the castles spied on themselves like cat and mouse. That is how the two castles got their names: Berg Katz and Berg Maus.

 I looked at the map and saw that we had a little time until the next one so I went inside to get warm.