Drachenfels, Summit in Siebengebirge, Germany
Drachenfels is an extinct volcanic summit made of trachyte near Königswinter, rising 321 meters (1053 feet) above the Rhine valley. On the top stand the remains of a medieval fortress, which you can reach by a steep hiking trail or by rack railway.
Archbishop Arnold I of Cologne had the castle built between 1138 and 1149 to protect the territory from attacks coming from the south. Over the centuries the fortress fell into ruin, until visitors in the 19th century began climbing the mountain for the view.
The name comes from the dragons that, according to legend, lived here before Siegfried came and killed one of them. Today many hikers come to see the castle ruins and enjoy the view of the river.
The hike on foot takes about half an hour on a path with several curves and inclines. Those who take the rack railway travel comfortably up in a few minutes and can save their energy for the way back.
Riesling vines grow on the slopes, forming the northernmost wine-growing area in the Rhine valley. The harvest is done by hand on the terraced plots, as machines cannot be used on the steep terrain.
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