ニーダーハイムバッハのおすすめウォーキング＆ハイキングルート

Fürstenberg Castle is the ruin of a hilltop castle in the Rheindiebach district. It was built 152 meters above sea level on a triangular rocky outcrop above the Middle Rhine. Its origins date back to the early 13th century. At that time, it was built as a toll castle and security fortress on the orders of Engelbert I, Archbishop of Cologne. In later centuries, Fürstenberg Castle saw a continuous succession of owners. The 3-meter-thick shield wall and deep moat ensured its high resistance. Unlike most castles, the castle even withstood the Thirty Years' War very well. However, it was destroyed by the French army in the late 17th century by blasting. Only the keep survived. Later plans to convert it into a neo-Gothic palace failed. The castle ruins were attractive for a time, primarily due to their adjacent vineyards. For a time, they belonged to the wine wholesaler Wasum and were passed between various owners until 1993. Its The most recent owner is Gernot Stelter from Rheindiebach, who has since been working on an intensive restoration of Fürstenberg Castle in collaboration with the State Office for Monument Preservation. His goal is to make the ruins attractive to tourists again. Original stones from the ruins of the masonry were used in the reconstruction work. The reconstruction of the building is proving to be extremely labor-intensive and complex. The Stelter family already offers visitors the opportunity to view the grounds up close and enjoy a pleasant stay. The surrounding vineyards are carefully tended and form the basis of the associated Fürstenberg Castle winery. Two vacation apartments with views of the ruins and the Rhine plain are available for overnight stays. For hikers, the grounds offer a tranquil passage through the lush green vineyards. https://www.rheingau.de/sehenswertes/burgen-rheintal/fuerstenberg

The houses, which can look like gazebos, towers or even Apulian trulli, primarily serve as shelter for the winegrowers working in the vineyard, in bad weather or to take a break.

"The Fairytale Grove: "Once upon a time" - A record of the beginning and end of the Niederheimbach Fairytale Grove, as well as the rescue, storage, and use of the artistic legacy during the transformation of the old cow path into a "Fairytale Trail." (By Heinz Scheibe) Sculptor - Ernst Heilmann's Idea - It was after the First World War, at a time when mothers still took the time to tell their children old folk tales. That's when the Niederheimbach sculptor Ernst Heilmann, who had chosen to live in Niederheimbach, had the idea of creating a fairytale land for children and adults. As a renowned sculptor, he believed he could cast the immortal characters of classic fairytales in stone." The story of the Fairytale Grove from beginning to end: https://niederheimbach.welterbe-mittelrheintal.de/geschichte/der-maerchenhain/de-geschichte-vom-maerchenhain

"The Cow Trail was once the only access for farmers and winegrowers to their fields and vineyards. It led from the village square near Heimburg Castle up to the properties above the village. Today, this path connects the village center with the new development. A community of interest has restored this path in recent years. Many of the painstakingly restored figures by sculptor Ernst Heilmann from the former "Fairytale Grove" were reinstalled and made accessible to the public. The brochure "Fairytale Circular Hiking Trail through Niederheimbach" presents the hiking trail and documents the figures and sights of the village. https://niederheimbach.welterbe-mittelrheintal.de/freizeittourismus/wandern/kuhwegmaerchenweg

"... She hadn't noticed that Sibor was stalking her again. He took the arrow bearing the Hohneck coat of arms, without initially pursuing any intention. But when he soon saw Kunigunde's fiancée approaching, he hid and shot him from ambush with Kunigunde's arrow. Lumberjacks didn't find the dead man until the next day. Kunigunde was deeply shocked when she realized that her fiancée had been killed with the arrow she had shot at the bird of prey. Thus, the old woman's prophecy had tragically come true. Knight Sibor didn't survive the murder for long. After a night of heavy drinking, he fell from his horse in the Sauer Valley and broke his neck. Kunigunde withdrew completely from the outside world. She built a nunnery near Hohneck and named it Sweet Church. She lived there until her death. Remains of the walls of this monastery are said to still exist today. " https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/deutschland/rheinland_pfalz/kunigundehohneck.html

"At the time when Heimburg was still called 'Hohneck,' a knight named Kuno lived there. However, his luck was not on his side, as he lost his beloved wife during the birth of his first child. He named his daughter after her mother, Kunigunde, and raised her as one should raise a son. Kunigunde learned everything a knight had to learn at that time. She enthusiastically hunted with her father. When she was 18, her father died. To avoid the constant harassment of Knight Sibor of Lorch, she decided to marry her lover, a young knight from Flörsheim, as soon as possible. Shortly before the wedding, as she was about to go hunting once more, she met a well-known old fortune teller. In anticipation of the upcoming wedding, Kunigunde cheekily asked her about her fate. 'Poor child,' the old woman replied, 'you carry an arrow in your quiver that will kill your beloved.' Cunegonde laughed, swung herself onto her horse, and called to the old woman: 'You're sorely mistaken! My arrows have never hurt a person. I'm a master hunter!' Cunegonde didn't hear what the old woman said, as she had long since galloped off on her horse. A short time later, Cunegonde saw a bird of prey circling in the air above a meadow valley, looking for prey. Cunegonde didn't hesitate long, grabbed an arrow, and aimed at the bird. Fatally wounded, it fell to the ground. But Cunegonde paid no further attention. ..."

It's great that there are places like this!

Not for retirees :-) Seriously, it's a great trail that even fit retirees can enjoy.