Schiffsanleger

More information about the history

Image: Postcard, jetty on the banks of the Rhine, around 1900

Since 1827, steamboats have been bringing travellers along the Rhine to Königswinter. Jetties were only provided from 1841 onwards. Until then, those travelling by ship could only reach the banks in small boats. The former location of the “Hotel de Berlin” is now the home of “Sea Life” (pictured here).

Image: Richard Doyle: The Foreign Tour of Messrs. Brown, Jones & Robinson, London 1854 (Siebengebirgsmuseum)

Thanks to the industrial revolution, English tourists were the first to be able to afford the expensive trip to the “romantic Rhine”. The often extravagant appearance of English travellers left them open to parody by cartoonists.

Image: Statues of donkeys at the “Eselsbrunnen” [Donkey Fountain], Rheinallee, Königswinter

Since 1984, the bronze statue of two donkeys, created by the sculptor Ernemann Sander from Oberdollendorf, bears witness to the still practised tradition of donkey rides up the Drachenfels and therefore also to the “donkey trail” between Königswinter and the Drachenfels. But this is no great surprise, after all the donkey is viewed as the unofficial heraldic animal of Königswinter.

Image: Donkey rider in front of the Westfalenhof

In the 19th century, the jetty was where the different social worlds went their separate ways. While wealthy holidaymakers checked in at one of the grand hotels on the Rhine promenade, day trippers called in at the guest houses and went to the dance halls in the old town or set out for the Drachenfels: on foot, on the Drachenfels cog railway or – as has been the tradition since the early 19th century – on horses or donkeys. Popular group photos recorded the adventure for the photo album, just like this one in front of the Westfalenhof.

Image: Postcard, “Greetings from the Drachenfels”, around 1900

Practical information

More information
Siebengebirgsmuseum, Kellerstraße 16
Tue–Fri 2 PM–5 PM, Sat 2 PM–6 PM, Sun 11 AM–6 PM Mondays closed > Website

Others:
SEA LIFE, Rheinallee 8
Mon–Fri 10 AM–5 PM, Sat and Sun 10 AM–6 PM
> Website

Rhine ship tour companies
KD (Köln-Düsseldorfer Rheinschiffahrt)
> Download timetable high season (PDF)
> Download timetable off-season (PDF)

Bonner Personen Schiffahrt
> Website

Personenschiffahrt Schmitz
> Website

Donkey ride to the Drachenfels
Particularly suitable for children:
During the tourist season, the donkeys are “stationed” at the lower station of the Drachenfels cog railway, where they wait to carry their young guests up the hill.
From the Easter holidays (NRW) until 31st October: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 11 a.m. In the NRW school holidays: daily and on appointment with the Muhr family, tel. 02223-24650