Drachenburg castle sits upon a steep hill which is relatively easy to hike up to. You could choose to take the adorable green tram up to the castle but, it’s not really necessary even if you’re only moderately fit like me. I suggest you hike up with a friend and admire the woods along with the views. Along the trail to Schloss Drachenburg, you get to see the eastern part of the Rhine River. It is worth taking the time and making the effort to hike up to see the Rhine from the trail. Hiking up with my friend Maria took much longer than it should as we kept taking photos along the way, too many selfies and photos of the natural beauty which surrounds the castle. I went on a beautiful, sun-kissed day and managed to get a light tan. I suggest you take along a bottle of water, wear good shoes, sunblock and skip hiking when it’s raining. The trail is sandy and would definitely turn to slippery mud during raining weather. Schloss Drachenburg is loosely translated into Dragon Castle and you will find many dragon-themed items in the castle’s souvenir store. But, there are no dragons or dangerous creatures along the trail.
At the entrance of this tiny castle, you will find two massive deer guarding the Venetian styled terrace. From the grand steps of the Drachenburg castle, you get to see the glorious green view. The Siebengebirge nature reserve with its dense forest surrounds the castle. I was awestruck the castle itself is beautiful but, it’s also rather small. It looks more like a grand mansion than a castle. Some say it’s not really a castle. I fell in love a little just because I’m short and there was a castle that was tiny too. It was the kind of castle I could see myself wanting to live in if I was a princess of the past.
Then I stepped inside and saw that the inside of Schloss Drachenburg is exquisite. There are murals painted on certain sections of the roof, intricate carvings, the furniture is antique and stately. The colours of the décor blend together and fit in perfectly. I think you aren’t supposed to take photos of the interiors but, there wasn’t a sign so I sneakily took a few photos inside. Not a lot is known about Drachenburg castle. It was commissioned by, Baron Stephan von Sarter, who laid the first foundation brick in 1882 for the Wilhelminian style castle. von Sarter was the son of a Bonn innkeeper and he became a prominent businessman. The story of someone from humble beginnings rising to success is kind of inspiring. Then I found out that von Sarter never lived in the castle. He rented an apartment in Paris and lived there till he passed away in 1902. A bit wasteful then again maybe he adored Paris too much to live in his magnificent castle. Maybe the castle was just a symbol of having made it, or he intended on marrying someone and staying there then the romance fizzled. Anyways in 1903 Sarter’s nephew, Jakob Biesenbach gained the rights to the property and decided to open it to the public. To this day historians still, don’t know why Sarter had the castle built or why he never lived in it. I for one wonder why he had it built but, I’m happy he did it truly was a major highlight for me. The North-Rhine Westphalia region wasn’t always as stunning for me as I’m spoilt from living in Cape Town. Then I saw Köningswinter, Bonn and the Drachenburg castle and that changed. I got to see the beauty of the region.
According to the NRW tourism site, Schloss Drachenburg becomes a beacon of light around Christmas time. The first three advent weekends see the castle playing host to a lively Christmas market. Various stalls sell different kinds of food and wine all from the Siebengebirge. You can also visit the interior of the castle. And at the end of January, the “Schlossleuchten” is held, 400 lamps and 12 projectors are installed in order to illuminate Drachenburg castle, its trees, and shrubs creating an explosion of colour. I might have to go back to see these magical lights since I spent my Christmas in the Netherlands.
Opening hours:
January and February: 12 am to 5 pm daily
March to June: 11 am to 6 pm
daily July and August: 11 am to 7 pm daily
September to November 24: daily 11 am to 6 pm
On all Advent weekends: “Unique Christmas time”
Saturday: 12 noon to 9 pm
Sunday: noon to 8 pm
Address:
Schloss Drachenburg gGmbH
Drachenfelsstr. 118
53639 Königswinter
Contact details:
Phone: +49 222 390197-0
Fax: +49 222 390197-78
E-Mail: mail@schloss-drachenburg.de
Web: www.schloss-drachenburg.de
How to get there:
with Google Maps
with Deutsche Bahn
Sources used:
https://www.nrw-tourismus.de/a-schloss-drachenburg-drachenfels
For more information:
http://www.nrw-tourismus-de/naturpark-siebengebirge
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have anything to ask do so in the comments or email me. I love getting feedback. Take care.
Happy travels!
Nikki
Nikkidiscovers 
This comment is not related to this article, but rather one you wrote over a year ago about femininity in ancient Greece. You mention the denigration of women by a ‘patriarchy’ within these ancient societies. But don’t you think there were understandable historical reasons for why societies were guided by men. In such violent and contentious times, it was primarily the responsibility of the man to protect his property and society as a whole. Biologically men have always been the stronger sex, and at the risk of great suffering and death, men have always been burdened with the monumental responsibility of protecting the family and extended community. It would be fitting that such an individual had more of a right to direct policy and rule making within a society. The arguments made in your blog are also fundamentally lacking in a basic understanding of gender-relations. Since time immomorial, women have held great power over men in the form of sexual availability and selection. Women hold the keys to a man’s future, and therefore have always had indirect control over the actions of men. It is not the case that men have never cared about how women feel, indeed it has always been important to men how their wife or partner feels. A properly functioning family cannot continue without some kind of understanding and harmony between parties. Women have always played a fundamental role in the psychological development of young men, and any mother worth her salt would make her case for mutual respect of the sexes quite clear from an early age. These men, these patriarchs you so speak of, were all raised by women, by their mothers, whom, along with their sisters, they derely loved and respected, that love and respect for women inevitably influenced their attitudes towards women in wider society. Women have always been extremely influencial in socieities throughout time, but it has always been a more indirect power, which has not always been easy to ascertain when compared to the great achievements of men throughout history.
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My article was about sculptures of women from ancient Greece and Rome. It did not deal with feminity. If you research these societies you will know that only a few privileged were able to attain an education. You will also know that there is almost no surviving text written by women or slaves. You will also know that women were not allowed to vote. Women typically could not choose who they married. Women were seen as indecent if they walked in public often. They were allowed to partake in religious festivals. Women were seen as child-bearers and had virtually no rights. If you read up on biology you will know that although men are physically stronger women outlive men. Plus, men have put the burden of fighting on to themselves as they have traditionally excluded women from fighting alongside them. Patriarchy has created a world where men see themselves as protectors and die as a result. Patriarchy damages the lives of both women and men. However, women warriors such as Boduccia and Joan of Arc fought brutal battles and held their own alongside men. I am not vilifying men or claiming women have never had any agency. But, your argument claiming that patriarchy does not exist because women raised men and because men are protectors does not address the widespread gender imbalances of ancient or modern times. Rapists, serial killers and child molesters tend to be men. Some of these men were raised with good parents. Ted Bundy springs to mind for example. Of course, women have been influential throughout history and men have been too. But, claiming that the achievements of men outshine those of women is your own personal opinion it is not a fact. Both men and women need to coexist in order to build a better society. However, gender inequality does exist. My blog article was not unpacking the many instances of gender inequality. It was meant to address why women’s bodies were sculpted the way they are in ancient Greece and Rome. You will also note if you read my piece till the end that I included a number of credible academic references. Thank you for your opinion but, I respectfully disagree with your arguments.
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