Bonn and the Königswinter's castles

clicca qui per la versione Italiana

For 41 years, from 1949 to 1990, this small city was the capital of Germany of the 'West.In 1990, after a parliamentary decision taken with a very small majority, he had to give this honor in Berlin. Some government offices have remained in Bonn after the relocation of the parliament and government in Berlin. And there are still more than 19 United Nations organizations that have offices in Bonn. But Bonn did not suffer much of the fact that it is not more capital, perhaps it is even good for the city no longer be known only as the capital, because the city has roots that go far beyond. Bonn can offer much to the tourist and precisely since 1990 the city has begun to cure and enhance its traditions and its monuments.

With the result that today's tourist inflow is much higher than once - Bonn counts 9 million visitors a year. The city also offers cultural and historical insights of considerable thickness, from the old town hall, the beautiful castle of the Prince Electors (now the seat of the prestigious university in the city and the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. But after 1990 also have been built new museums that are among the most visited in all of Germany. Just the new role gives in Bonn the opportunity to put in perspective its quality and its beauty.


Panorama of the city of Bonn from the Drachenfels hill:

Just 20 minutes from Bonn, in the hilly region of the Siebengebirge, on the banks of the Rhine River, the lovely town of Königswinter offers some worthy attractions of a visit.

What to see:

The Drachenfels, the castle ruins where the legend says that Siegfried has faced the dragon (hence the name Dragon Drachen = FELS = rock); It is what remains of the castle erected here in 1138 about a strategic location for the defense of the city of Cologne.
Drachenfels is a ruin, there are only a few walls and there is nothing to see in itself, though near or stopping in a nice restaurant with a modern style, with a panoramic terrace overlooking the valley; here you can make a full meal or simply order something to drink.


Castle Drachenburg, which is located further downstream from the Drachenfels, which was built in 1800, once the private residence of a noble family, now a resort with rooms for receptions and weddings.
 Inside you can be visited all the rooms with period furnishings, and especially worth visiting the fabulous gardens and walkways along the exterior of the castle, which will give you fantastic views of the Rhine and the surrounding region. The entrance to the castle is a fee (6 euro for adults).