Page 142 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany

140 BACK ROADS GERMANY

1 Remagen revealed this to be part of a
Rhineland-Palatinate; 53424 3rd­cen tury Roman country mansion,
The Ahr river flows into the Rhine now protected by the Museum
just south of Remagen, but the Römervilla (late Mar–mid-Nov: closed
town is better known for its pivotal Mon), where the building’s founda­
position in World War II. It was here tions can be seen. Evi dence suggests
that American forces cap tured a that the place, preserved under a
bridge across the Rhine, in an act 5th­cen tury landslide, was inhabited
that was celebrated as a strate gic from at least as early as the middle of
victory. Located in the former bridge­ the 1st cen tury. After explor ing the
Above Vineyards near Altenahr head on the Rhine’s left bank, the museum, walk down Am Silberberg
Friedensmuseum Brücke von and turn left along Walporzheimer
WHERE TO STAY
Remagen, or bridge museum (early Strasse for a stroll into the charming
Mar–early Nov: open daily), details the half­timbered centre of Ahrweiler.
AROUND RÖMERVILLA history of the bridge and its con quest. ª Turn left out of the car park, then
Hohenzollern moderate ª From the cul-de-sac road right on the B267. Pass through a
A short walk from the Römervilla
leads to this smart hotel with fine views. beside the museum, turn left tunnel into Altenahr and park in the
Am Silberberg 50, 53474 Ahrweiler down Goethestrasse, then right adjacent car park on the left.
(west of Römervilla); 02641 97 30; down Südallee to take the B9 toward
www.hotelhohenzollern.com Koblenz. Turn right on the B266 to 3 Altenahr
ALTENAHR Ahrweiler. Get on to the B267, and Rhineland-Palatinate; 53502
Gasthaus Assenmacher moderate follow signs to the Römervilla car park. Surrounded by vine yards and wooded
Housed above a restaurant, this family­ crags, the town of Altenahr is wrapped
run hotel has simple and bright rooms. The Bridge at Remagen around a couple of bends of the Ahr
Brückenstrasse 12, 53505; 02643 18 48; The capture of the Ludendorff Bridge river. Take a ten­minute walk uphill via
www.gasthaus-assenmacher.de at Remagen by American forces in the street opposite the car park,
AROUND NÜRBURGRING March 1945 has been seen as a Rossberg, to the ruined 11th­century
Motorsporthotel moderate turning point in World War II, since Burg Are. From the top of this for ti fi­
this was the last remain ing bridge
Located close to the main grandstand, over the Rhine. President Eisenhower cation, the chair lift (Easter–Oct: open
this hotel offers stylish rooms and is a daily) further up the valley is clearly
hub for motorsports enthusiasts. declared the bridge “worth its weight visible. It provides access to higher
in gold” and Hitler had the officers in
Hauptstrasse 34, 53520 Nürburg points and the Rotweinwanderweg
(north of Nürburgring); 02691 920 00; charge of the bridge shot. Yet there
www.motorsporthotel.de were further crossings over the (www.rotweinwanderweg.de), a sign­
Rhine, and 10 days later the bridge posted red wine walking trail that
COCHEM collapsed. Its symbolic signifi cance can be followed for a pleasant hour
Alte Thorschenke moderate has grown over time, partly due to or two of hiking (tourist office: Altenburger
This central guesthouse dates back to the 1969 film The Bridge at Remagen. Strasse 1a; www.altenahr-ahr.de; closed Sat
1332. Many of the rooms are in the & Sun) around Altenahr. The chairlift
hotel’s modern wing.
Brückenstrasse 3, 56812; 02671 70 59; 2 Römervilla also leads to a summer toboggan run.
www.castle-thorschenke.com Rhineland-Palatinate; 53475 ª Turn left on to the B257 and follow
In 1980, road constructions at the base it past Breidscheid to turn left in the
Below left Ahrweiler’s quaint medieval of vineyards just north of Ahrweiler direc tion of Nürburgring. Turn right
town centre Below right Ruins of Burg chanced upon the founda tions of an on the B258 to the car parks beside
Are on a craggy hill, Altenahr ancient building. Closer examination the Nürburgring grandstand.

Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €70; moderate, €70–€150; expensive, over €150

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