ジーアーシャイトの洞窟・トップ16

The view of the slopes with grapes, the river, the white stone villages, the hills, the forests and other ruins and buildings is really wonderful.

The view and the landscape are incredibly diverse: large forests of coniferous and deciduous trees alternate with fields, meadows and orchards, heathland and peat landscapes.

The view from the ruins of Altenahr and Mayschoß, where the Ahr meanders wildly romantically in narrow bends through rock formations and steep vineyards that are terraced with dry stone walls, is magnificent. The Mediterranean climate and the slate soil create optimum conditions for the ripening of the predominantly blue grapes. The wine route is a must to walk once in your life.

Be amazed as you look through the grate into the depths of the pit.

During wine week there will be a wine kiosk here and you can buy a holder to put your wine glass in 😀

From here you have a great view of the Ahr valley. The climb was definitely worth it.

Entrance area to the castle complex, the old gate is still well preserved.

Founding, expansion and demolition: The castle was built by Theoderich von Are at the beginning of the 12th century and was first mentioned in documents in 1121. The castle was demolished in 1714 and has been a ruin ever since. In between there are six centuries of history with changing castle lords. Below Are Castle lie the remains of the Gymnicher Porz, with Porz meaning gate. It was a lower gate system on the access road to the castle, which sealed off the castle hill in conjunction with a wall. The complex consisted of a gatehouse above the access road, a castle house attached to it with a basement and two floors with living quarters, as well as an adjoining castle tower. The name is based on the von Gymnich family. Some members were temporarily mortgagees of the castle in the 14th and 16th centuries. It is assumed that the gate system was built during this time. At times the Gymnicher Porz served as an independent castle fief of the von Gymnich family.