Königswinter

Königswinter is in the Rhine-Sieg district of Northrhine-Westfalia at the foot of the "Siebengebirge" hills on the eastern side of the Rhine, opposite the former West German capital Bonn.

Above Königswinter is the Dragon's Rock with a ruined castle dating from the 12th century. It is Germany's most climbed mountain. Since 1883 there has also been a rack railway to take visitors to the top.

The name Königswinter supposedly originates from the vineyards that Charlemagne had planted here, creating a Royal Winery (Königlicher Winzerort). There is no proof of this story.

Richard Wagner's Ring Cycle made the Dragon's Rock and Königswinter world famous. Here, Siegfried supposedly killed the dragon and subsequently bathed in its blood. The Nibelungen Hall was built in 1913 to mark Wagner's 100th birthday. The Dragon's Lair, complete with stone dragon modelled on a dinosaur, was built in 1993 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Wagner's death. Live animals can be seen in the neighbouring Reptile Zoo. The nearby Dragon's Rock Castle has recently been restored.

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