Alter Zoll, Bastion at Rhine River bank in Bonn, Germany
Alter Zoll is a bastion built from heavy stonework on the bank of the Rhine in Bonn, Germany. Old cannons are displayed on the grounds, and the open terrace faces the river directly.
The structure was built in 1642 during the Thirty Years War to defend the city from the river side. It later became a customs post for goods moving along the Rhine, which gave it its current name.
The name of the place comes from the former customs house that once stood here. Today, students and local residents gather on the grounds to sit, talk, and look out over the river.
The site is easy to reach on foot and open throughout the day, with outdoor benches and green areas where you can sit. The late afternoon tends to offer a clearer view across the river as the light shifts westward.
A plane tree planted around 150 years ago grows on the grounds and has become one of the most noticeable features of the site. Its broad canopy shades a large part of the terrace and makes the spot recognizable from a distance.
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