Drachenfels

More information about the history

Image from a pamphlet (1886) “To protect the Siebengebirge”, Siebengebirgsmuseum / Heimatverein Siebengebirge e.V., Königswinter

Over time, the long-term, intensive stone quarrying had made a drastic impact on the landscape – evident here on a lithograph showing the basalt quarries on the Petersberg. In 1886, a society was set up to protect the Siebengebirge, which advocated a systematic campaign against further quarrying. It published a pamphlet which the image above is taken from. Another illustration - a view of the quarries near Oberkassel - has a strongly-worded caption which translates as “An example of further devastation to the Siebengebirge”.

Image: Lottery ticket, 1900

Two lotteries, run in 1881 and 1899 by the VVS (an association founded in 1869 which was dedicated to the improvement of the Siebengebirge), were intended to facilitate practical conservation measures and then to raise funds to buy land as well. In total, the draws raised the impressive amount of 2.5 million reichsmarks. The first lottery was in aid of the restoration of the ruins of the choir of the Heisterbach monastery and of the Löwenburg. As time went by, the association purchased more than 800 hectares of land in the central Siebengebirge area. In addition, the VVS was also granted a right of compulsory purchase, thus enabling it to shut down most of the quarries by the end of the 1910s.

Practical information

The Siebengebirgsmuseum and the Deutsches Museum für Naturschutzgeschichte display numerous exhibits on nature conservation and the protection of listed buildings on the Drachenfels Siebengebirgsmuseum Königswinter, Kellerstraße 16
Tue–Fri 2 PM–5 PM, Sat 2 PM–6 PM, Sun 11 AM–6 PM Mondays closed > Website

Deutsches Museum für Naturschutzgeschichte
Drachenfelsstraße 118, 53639 Königswinter
Phone: +49 2223 700570
> Opening hours