We were looking for the Johannisberg winery and ended up at this one.
Johannisberg Castle and winery
court yard detail
From Rüdesheim, we took a cable car up the mountain side
Castle replica in Rüdesheim
On our way through Rüdesheim to the cable car station
It's all Japanese to me...
Lucky number 13 cable car for us!
The cable car took us over beautiful vineyards
Spectacular views of the Rhine
Barge on the Rhine
This is the monument on the hill top we wanted to see
Detail of monument
Maus Turm - or Mouse Tower - in the middle of the Rhine river. It was used in the past for collecting tolls. Legend has it that a cruel archbishop was eaten alive by mice.
Some castles along the Rhine can be toured, others cannot be toured. Some lay in ruins, while others are more complete.
For "Seinfeld " lovers... this is where the Assman lives. Below the town's name it says "world famous red wine"
We saw so many castles on a 45-mile stretch of road that I lost track of the names. I had to be very quick to take pictures of them from the car.
I think this particular castle had been turned into a youth hostel
Highlight of the tour was the Marksburg castle, the only original hill side castle, which has been occupied for 700 years.
The passage way through the gate was intended for horses and the steps are made of slate rock. It's a bit challenging for elderly people.
Marksburg was heavily defended against intruders.
View from inside court yard
The kitchen
An early form of a freezer - an ice box
Nice window detail shot through a window - amazing how the shingles wrap around the dormer window.
Suits of armor could weigh anywhere between 20 and 40 kilos
Earlier forms did not offer as much protection
A shield for a horse's head
