Things to do in Trechtingshausen

Marvel at picturesque landscapes, enjoy family-friendly entertainment and learn about local folklore at Loreley (or Lorelei). The 433-foot (132-meter) tall bluff Loreley rises over the eastern shores of the Rhine River. It stands above a precarious curve in the river, which for centuries has been infamous for causing shipwrecks. The bluff has long been shrouded in myths. Discover much of this lore at the visitor center.

Drosselgasse is a quaint, narrow alley that runs through the nucleus of Ruedesheim am Rhein’s Old Town. The bustling street, which is 472 feet (144 meters) long, is alive with wineries, markets and historic features. Stroll down the alley for an insight into the musical and cultural delights of this town.

Rising from the greenery on a heavily forested mountainside overlooking the Rhine, the ancient Rheinstein Castle looks like something from a fairy tale. Pay it a visit to discover not only its incredible architecture but its fascinating history, which goes back over a thousand years.

Visit Rheinfels Castle (Burg Rheinfels) to journey through the ruins of a magnificent fortress that dates back over 700 years. Uncover the ancient history of both the castle and Sankt Goar via exhibits in the castle museum. Count Diether V. von Katzenelnbogen established Rheinfels Castle in 1245 as a hideout for Sankt Goar’s tax collectors. It passed to the House of Hesse in 1479 and then to the French revolutionary army in 1794 before Napoleon inflicted major damage at the end of the 18th century.

Find Mainz Cathedral, also known as Mainzer Dom or St. Martin’s Cathedral, in the city center. The towering structure is one of the most impressive examples of Romanesque religious architecture on the Upper Rhine. Since A.D. 975, the cathedral has stood sentry in Mainz. Unlike many other historic buildings in the city, it survived World War II with minimal damage.

The Gutenberg Museum celebrates one of the city’s most famous residents, Johannes Gutenberg. In the early 1450s, the Mainz native perfected an invention that would change the world forever: the printing press. The site is one of the world’s oldest and most comprehensive museums dedicated to printing. Find the Gutenberg Museum opposite St. Martin’s Cathedral (Dom Mainzer) in the old section of the city.

Burg Reichenstein, or Reichenstein Castle, is a dramatic sight even from a distance, perched on the rock edge of a hill above the Rhine and surrounded by lush green forest. Step through its ancient doorway and you will be even more impressed by the deep sense of history that permeates this ancient building. Build up an idea of what life would have been like here centuries ago as you view the many fascinating exhibits on display in the museum contained within the castle.