We started the morning by docking in Koblenz to make our way to Marksburg Castle.
Views of Marksburg Castle from the bottom of the mountain. With the hill for defense, it is not wonder that it is the only castle on the Rhine that was not destroyed in war.
Mixed among the views of the castles along the Rhine Gorge were many vineyards on the sides of the mountains.
St. Goars-hausen - Two castles with a wall between them. Built by a pair of brothers in the 13th century after a falling out. Conrad and Henry were both in love with the same girl, Angela. Conrad was to marry Angela, but went on Crusade before they married. Henry stayed home and took care of the family home and watched over Angela for his brother. When Conrad returned from Crusade, he had brought a new bride. Henry challenged Conrad to a duel to the death, but Angela intervened. Conrad built the white castle and the wall in between. Angela died in a convent with a broken heart and Conrad's wife later left him for someone else. The brothers never reconciled and Conrad jumped from a wall into the Rhine.
Henry's Portion of St. Goars-hausen.
Conrad's portion of St. Goard-hausen
Terrace farming along the Rhine
Tolls were collected for ships traveling the Rhine during the Middle Ages. The tolls were paid to the lords based on the goods in the ships.
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