Rüdesheim

Anyone viewing Rüdesheim from the river or the opposite bank of the Rhine will immediately spot the source of this historic community’s proud heritage: its prime vineyard locations such as Rüdesheimer Berg Rottland or Berg Schlossberg produce top quality wines. The former yields delicate, fruity and exceptionally mellow Riesling wines, whereas the Schlossberg is typified by exquisite vintages with a mineral character and sophisticated acidity. The spacious terraces stretch as far as Rüdesheim’s “Grande Dame” Germania, throning high above the town on the plinth of the Niederwald memorial. The impressive iron lady is a relict of the Prussian era and was personally inaugurated by the then Kaiser Wilhelm I in 1883. Visitors to the monument will be rewarded by a fascinating panoramic vista. There are majestic views of the Rheingau, the mouth of the River Nahe and the gateway to the Middle Rhine in the valley below, and on a clear day you can see as far as Rheinhessen and the Hunsrück.

Here at the Niederwald monument, the Ostein Park offers a most unusual hiking experience. At the end of the 18th century, Graf von Ostein created a veritable fairy tale forest here, erecting temples, an enchanted cave and a Knights’ Hall at the most beautiful vantage points. In the midst of the vineyard landscape to the east of the town of Rüdesheim am Rhein lies St. Hildegard’s Abbey.