Gipfelplateau

More information about the history

Image: August Karstein: “Inn on the Drachenfels”, lithograph, around 1869

Enticed by the travel reports and works of the Romantic movement artists, more and more tourists from Germany and abroad had to be catered for on the Rhine and on the Drachenfels from the middle of the 19th century onwards. Some sought overnight accommodation. They then stayed at the hotel and restaurant run by the tenant Moritz Mattern.

Image: A “grand hall”, on the hill slope beneath the hotel and the Landsturm [reserve militia] monument, provided room for a large number of people, postcard, around 1910

The only inn at the top of the hill was extremely well-frequented at the beginning of the 20th century. Even during the First World War, it attracted so many visitors on summer evenings that closing time was moved to 1 o’clock in the morning.

Image: Postcard, Drachenfels plateau (detail), around 1910

On sunny days, visitors from all social backgrounds gathered on the hotel terrace. They ate, drank, took photos and wrote to family and friends. A stop-off there was intended to be an affordable pleasure for everyone and this was set out explicitly in the hotel leasing contract, dated 1887. “The tenant must ensure that less well off clientele can also partake of a good glass of draught beer and a suitable meal for as low a price as possible.” Special services, such as its own postal station, the sale of souvenirs and entertainment from the “Drachenfels singers” made visiting the hilltop even more attractive.

Practical information

In the Siebengebirgsmuseum, part of the permanent exhibition provides a review of the tourist services - which today appear somewhat unusual - including postcards and souvenirs across the years, musical excerpts, recollections of the “Drachenfels singers” and much, much more.

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

Der Drachenfels Restaurant / Café / Events
> Website