Rüdesheim or Rüdesheim am Rhein is probably the most famous wine making town of Germany. It is located in the western part of the state in the region of Rheingau which is again located on the foothills of Taunus Mountains. It is also the major central for the Rhine wine industries.
The town also is famous for the The Brömserburg which is a castle made for the archbishop of Mainz. It was initially built to provide residence to about 1200 individuals. Later in history it also came under the control of the knights of Rüdesheim.
Today you can find some of the most historic and exquisite collection of wine here in the museum which is specifically dedicated to wines. There are those beautiful half-timber houses, narrow streets and the old inns. These features bring about the medieval character of the town. There is also a monument which was built atop the Niederwald Height in 1871.
In the month of September the town plays host to a wine festival which attracts a lot of tourists especially from Germany. Furthermore, you can also get the chance to taste some of the most flavourful brandies and Skets, along with sparkling white wine and of-course there is the authentic food and architecture.
How to reach Rüdesheim?
The town is located on the southern end of the Rhine Valley which in German language is known as: Mittelrheintal. On the other end of the town you can also spot the river Binger. There is also a famous village which falls on the other side of the river Rhine – Assmannshausen. Traveling in and around the town has been made much easier because of the extensive rail and road networks.
If you are travelling by train, in that case you can travel by the rail line which falls between Neuwied, Koblenz and Wiesbaden and Frankfurt. The trains travel quite frequently with an interval of one train at every hour. You can also find cheaper tickets if you are travelling towards Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, or Mainz, because of the RMV network.
Travelling by the boat is also an option which a lot of people might want to exploit. The KD and BR boat services cruise nonstop on the Rhine and make pit stops at both the ends of Assmannshausen and Rüdesheim.
There are ferry services available as well. The fares of travelling via ferries on the river to Binger can cost as low as 2 euros per individual.
Moreover, traveling on foot is the best way to explore any city for that matter. There are good numbers of walking trails which are well lit and marked for the convenience. Moreover, Rüdesheim and Assmannshausen both are small enough to be travelled almost entirely on foot. There are also cable cars which can take you up to Niederwald and the way down to Assmannshausen is managed by a chair lift.
Rüdesheim is located on the national highway number 42. This road network connects with the Rhine-Maine region in the east and on the north it also links with Koblenz.
History
The first mention of Rüdesheim in historical documents dates back to A.D. 864. The current region was first occupied by the Celts and when the Christian era began it was occupied by the Ubii and the Mattiaci came and reseeded here much later. When the Romans were in power they came in and created the castrum near to today’s Rüdesheim.
According to the archaeological surveys conducted in the region wine making dates back to this period, that is the age of the Roman Empire. Recently these claims were corroborated with the many glass samples that were discovered here.
Alamanni followed here with a settlement after the decline of the Romans and then with the Migration Period many Frankish settlements also came in. Back then and for a long time thereon winegrowing was the main occupation of the people along with shipping and timber rafting.
During the 15th and the 16th centuries Rheingau was under the protection of Rheingau Gebücks and therefore managed to survive the war campaigns of the major European powers. In the due course of the coming centuries Rudesheim gained some prosperity and thus began its many fortification programs. Furthermore, with the coming of the 19th century, particularly on the 1st of January 1818, Rüdesheim received town rights and was able to function and administer almost independently.
With the Prussian annexation of the Duchy of Nassau in 1867, Rüdesheim became a district and maintained this status till the year 1977. Then the municipal reforms took place and modern administrative methods took charge of the town.
The town has enveloped within its confines some of the most mesmerising heritages from the pages of history. Among them are the:
- Brömserburg Castle: The castle was the property of the Archbishop of Mainz for almost a millennium that is right from the 10th century to the 19th The castle was designed to be a guarding fortress for the town. During the 12th century the fortress was converted into a residential castle. As per some of the illustrations presented in the history books, the castle used to be surrounded the water from the river Rhine. It was situated almost on the river. Moreover, the 2 meter thick walls were adversarial to almost every attack. Also, the vault towers were able to successfully counter each of those attacks in the fiercest manners possible. The only attack that went past the walls was during the siege by the Duke of Longville. But, his massive army could only successfully destroy the southwestern section of the fortress. Furthermore, there were also mined paths surrounding the castle which functioned as the first line of defence. With the secularisation of the castle in the year 1803, it managed to change many hands. In 1941 the castle finally came under the dominion of the city of Ruedesheim. The castle today houses a significant collection of the Rheingauer Wine Museum. The gardens of the castle are where the old fermentation tanks are situated in which wines were produced centuries ago. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley.
- Boosenburg Castle: This defensive tower is located on the peripheries of the Broemserburg. It was designed in the Romanesque style. Archaeological enquiries have shown that the castle was erected sometime in the 9th century A.D. Furthermore, the main tower stands tall at 38 metres and gives the impression of an imposing figure which dominates the surroundings. The three meter thick walls provided a good amount of protection and the castle reasonably operated as a major defence tower during the Middle ages. Today, the castle complex and the buildings are privately owned and due to this reason it is not available for public viewing.
- Benedictine Abbey of St. Hildegard: It has to be in the must see sight of every tourist. The abbeys location is surrounded by vineyards. It is situated right above Rüdesheim. The abbey building looks quite different and one can say that it seems almost angelic during the time of the dusk when there is clear sky. Almost during all hours when the abbey is in operation you can find lively crowds flocking around the abbey. It also provided a beautiful sight of the Rhine valley. Today, you can also find a modern day bookshop which houses massive collections along with cards and items of arts and craft. Here, you can also find ceramic collectables and there is also a winery with a fantastic selection. There is no other place which can provide a better environment for relaxation than this.
- Klunkhardshof: It is a part of the old Rüdesheim and comprises of two-stored, half-timbered building dating back to the 16th This property used to be owned by the Klunkhard family. They were among the most highly respected families of their time.
- Adlerturm or The Eagle Tower: This tower is situated in Rheinstraße, right on the river bank and adorned in the tradition of the late Gothic period. It was built during the late 15th century when the city was undergoing fortification. The tower stands tall at 20.5 metres with its interior diameter at 5 metres and the super massive 1 meter thick walls made it very difficult to penetrate with conventional artillery. The tower comprises of four floors and a dungeon which could only be accessed through a vaulted ceiling. During winters when the Rhine freezes completely it becomes much easier to cross the river. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the great German literati is known to have stayed here during each of his visits to Rüdesheim.
- Niederwalddenkmal: It was erected between 1877 and 1883 with respect to the designs provide by Johann Schilling of Dresden. The monument has a 38 meter tall statue. The statue is symbolic of the re-establishment and prude of the German empire and the modern day German state.
More about the town
Rüdesheim, the historic city of winegrowers also used to be the very spot where the Romans grew wine. City’s Old Town dates back to the Middle Ages and even today, after all the efforts of restoration; these emblems have managed to withstand the cruelty of time. You can spot the Medieval Era features quite easily. For instance there is the Adlerturn or the Eagle Tower which commands the skyline of the town. Moreover, around this area you can also find some of the most beautifully operational taverns and half-timbered houses. It is a definite must visit site for all the tourists no matter what.
At the heart of the Old Town of Rüdesheim is where the Drosselgasse is located. It is often described as the magnet of tourists. This is because each year millions come to just witness the glories of the Old Town. Moreover, there are live band performances along with dance groups showcasing some of the most entertaining shows. As far as the crowd is concerned, the local people are some of the easy going and chilled out you will ever find. They love to enjoy celebrations, party and at the same time carry a conscience towards tourists. The wine from Rüdesheim and the regional delicacies can be savoured in the local restaurants. If a local family happen to invite you over you are assured to have a great time cherishing the legendary German hospitality. The world famous alleys are some of the most awe-inspiring gullies to walk in. You can dance the night away and yet feel as though only a small amount of time has passed.
The months beginning from March to December are the most amazing time of the year to be in Drosselgasse. Around this time the local pubs offer live music along with the best in their stock. You are bound to find something or the other which suits your musical buds. Tourists have reported of witnessing some of the most amazing brass musical pieces and guitar sounds catering to the hits from the golden era to the modern times. In the month of April for instance, the music shows begin right in the evening, approximately from 19:00 hours and people can be seen dancing in the alleys even during the past midnight hour. Furthermore, as the winters come the local market starts to brim with Christmas festivities. The Christmas market which starts from November is one of a kind. The market setting also has bands and musicians livening up the aura and getting the Christmas spirit high.
Apart from all the cultural infusion, the town offers some things for the adrenalin junkies as well. Rüdesheim offers the space for many kinds of sporting activates. You can walk on the Rheinsteig trail or go canoeing passing right through the World Heritages or go on the most amazing journey through the romantic castles or enjoy a nice afternoon on a bicycle tour.
What else is there to see?
- Drosselgasse: It is located in the heart of Rudesheim’s old town.
- Ehrenfels ruined Castle (Burgruine Ehrenfels)
- Niederwalddenkmal: It is a monument which is located in the Niederwald Landscape park which dates back to 1883.
- Saint James’s Parish Church (Pfarrkirche St. Jakobus): This church dates back to the 15th century.
- Benediktinerinnenabtei St. Hildegard: It is the Benedictine Abbey of St. Hildegard.
- The Mouse Tower: It is located on the island in the river Rhine.
- Kloster Eberbach: The Eberbach Abbey is situated near Eltville. It is the same palace where the interior scene of the 1986 film – In the Name of the Rose was shot.
- Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet or the Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett: It is the first German museum which was erected for the data-storage of musical instruments. This museum is open during the months of: March – December, daily between 10am and 6 pm. The cost of entry for adults is a mere: 6,50 €.
- Mittelalterliches Foltermuseum: The Medieval Torture Museum is a definite site to visit. It will not only thrill you but also will provide you with great insights into the medieval era life. It is open: daily from April to October 10 – 18 h, and the entry charge for adults is: 5,50 €.
- Rheingauer Weinmuseum Brömserburg: This museum provides you with a 1,000-year old winegrowing history and is located in the old castle.
- Asbach Distillery: An interesting site which provides you with the nitty-gritties of wine distilleries.