Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. We meet to begin our journey at a Weinstube, or wine tavern, on the narrow alley in Rüdesheim-am-Rhein, famous across the world for the quality of the foods and drink on offer here. True or false: this alley is named Unter den Linden?
2. Before we leave Rüdesheim-am-Rhein for the twelve mile hike along the footpath known as the Rheinsteig to the pretty town of Lorch, we visit a distillery that produces a fine brandwein, or brandy. What is the name of this world famous spirit?
3. The climb to the start of the Rheinsteig involves a short walk or a brief cable-car ride to a monument known as the Niederwalddenkmal. The central figure of this monument, at just over thirty-four feet in height, is a female figure said to represent the German nation. By what name is this figure known?
4. Looking southwards from Niederwalddenkmal and across the Rhine towards the city of Bingen-am-Rhein, our eyes are drawn toward a small tower built on an island in the middle of the river. Legend tells of the gruesome end of a Bishop of Mainz here. How did he meet his fate?
5. As we contemplate the fate of Hatto, our eyes are again drawn to a castle on the far bank. Legend has it that the builder of this castle, Reichenstein, was tricked of his payment by the wife of the noble that the castle was built for. Who was the unfortunate builder of Reichenstein?
6. On our journey we shall be passing many old buildings, some inhabited and some total ruins. Known in German as a 'Schloß' or 'Schloss', many of us refer to these buildings as palaces but what does the word 'Schloss' more accurately mean?
7. As we head in a north-westerly direction following the bends of the river, we pass the ruins of Ehrenfels and Plixholz castles before reaching our first waypoint at Lorch. Taking in the view from Lorch and looking once again to the far bank of the river we see the town of Trechtingshausen watched over by the 11th century sentinels of Reichenstein, a castle we've seen already, and Sooneck Castles. What was the 'profession' of the original occupants of these castles?
8. Leaving Lorch, the next stage of our walk takes us just over eight miles to the small town of Kaub. Our path takes us uphill through dense forest of Oak and Beech with fabulous views through the trees across the river to the town of Bacharach and of Stahleck Castle. As we descend rapidly again to the town of Kaub, another building catches our eye, a toll house built on a small island in the river at a crossing point used by which Prussian on his way to fight a great battle?
9. As we pass Kaub we begin the climb to the highlight of our walk. The Rheinsteig rises steeply here and takes us to a plateau at a height of four hundred feet or so above the mighty river. In 1824, the German poet Heinrich Heine wrote: "The loveliest maiden is sitting, up there, so wondrously fair, her golden jewelry is glist'ning, she combs her golden hair". Of which local legend was he writing?
10. It is here at Lorelei that the Rhine is at its narrowest between Switzerland and the North Sea.
11. Descending from Lorelei, we have arrived above the pretty town of St. Goarshausen, and the view from here in front of Castle Katz is breathtaking. Across the river, dominating the valley and standing above the small town of St. Goar, is the largest and most imposing of all the Rhine Castles. By what name is this towering 'Burg' known?
12. It is here at St. Goarshausen that we need to stop for food and a good night's rest. We indulge ourselves with a hearty meal of bratwurst, potato salad and sauerkraut in the restaurant at our typical, family run hostelry. What word should you look for when searching for accommodation like this?
13. Early the following morning, now refreshed, we leave the Gasthaus for the next stage in our journey which takes us just a few short miles to a castle officially known as Schloß Thurnberg. Because of this castle's close proximity to Castle Katz, and the local people believing that the occupants were spying on each other, this gave rise to the unofficial name that the castle has today. By what name do the local people refer to Thurnberg?
14. From Castle Maus, the Rheinsteig takes us on for a further seven miles through the Pulsbachklamm Gorge to the town of Kestert. Continuing from here to our next overnight stop at Osterspai, we take the steep ascent to the twin castles of Sterrenberg and Liebenstein with their panoramic views of the Rhine's close bends and the western bank town of Boppard. Tales were told, over the centuries, of disputes between the owners of the twin castles in front of us which resulted in the collective name that they hold today. What name is given to these buildings?
15. The following morning we begin one of the shortest sections of our trek, the seven miles to the town of Braubach. This takes us past the castle known as Marksburg which is of particular interest to us. Judging by what we have seen of many of the castles on our journey so far, Marksburg is, indeed, a remarkable building in that it is the only Rhine castle never to have been completely destroyed... Is this statement true or false?
16. Now, looking west across the river from Marksburg, our attention is held by an area of open ground that contains a building, the like of which we have not seen on our journey thus far. Clearly this building is not a castle but it was still important in its own right and was the site upon which German kings would swear their oaths of allegiance as they travelled to Aachen and their coronation. Named the 'Königsstuhl' in German, how does this translate into English?
17. After pausing briefly for a glass of beer and a snack at Braubach, we embark on the next and final leg of our journey. For five miles we pass along the Rheinsteig which takes us away from the Rhine itself, and which leads us to the banks of which tributary?
18. We travel in a westerly direction, only a short distance along the southern bank of this river, to the town of Lahnstein. We are now almost at the end of our trek and in Lahnstein we visit the Castle Lahneck. It was here in 1851 that a tragic event occurred that made Castle Lahneck infamous. A young lady from Scotland climbed the castle tower and, after she had reached the very top, the old wooden staircase collapsed behind her. What became of this poor unfortunate girl?
19. The final eight miles of our journey involves a strenuous ascent through the Rupertsklamm, a steep gorge which leads us up to a wonderful panoramic view from the 'Lichterkopf', from where we can look back and trace the route that we have taken so far. Descending from here down to the banks of the Rhine through the Bienhorntal we arrive at the riverbank and look across the Rhine to its confluence at Koblenz with which other great German river?
20. Although we have now arrived at the end of our journey here at Koblenz, the Rheinsteig itself continues for a further 34 miles to its eventual end at the city that was once the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany. This city was also the birthplace of one of the world's greatest and best loved composers, Ludwig van Beethoven. Which city is this?
Source: Author
SisterSeagull
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
Pagiedamon before going online.
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