6 Best Sights in Boppard, The Rhineland

This eye-catching castle sits on the eastern shore of the Rhine overlooking the town of Braubach. Built in the 13th century to protect the silver and lead mines in the area, it's the only land-based castle on the Rhine to have survived the centuries intact. Within its massive walls are a collection of weapons and manuscripts, a medieval botanical garden, and a self-service restaurant with a terrace offering stunning views. The castle can only be visited as part of a 50-minute guided tour: individual English tours take place daily during the summer months at 1 and 4 pm; call ahead if you'd like to join a pre-arranged tour at a different time. Well-behaved pets are allowed.

A Roman garrison was established on this site in the 4th century, and would once have been enclosed by a 26-foot-high rectangular wall with 28 defense towers. Today, there are only ruins, set within an open-air archaeological park (sandwiched between Angertstrasse and Kirchgasse), but you can still see portions of the wall and towers.

Excavations in the 1960s revealed ancient Roman baths hidden beneath this twin-towered Romanesque church, the main feature of Boppard's market square. The large triumphal crucifix over the main altar and a lovely statue of a smiling Madonna date from the 13th century.

Two baroque altars dominate the interior of this Gothic church. It houses intricately carved choir stalls and tombstones and several beautiful Madonnas. Winegrowers still observe the old custom of laying the first-picked Trauben (grapes) at the foot of the Traubenmadonna (1330) to ensure a good harvest.

The town museum, housed in the 14th-century Kurfürstliche Burg (Elector's Castle) built by the archbishop of Trier, has exhibits on Boppard's Roman and medieval past, as well as an extensive collection of bentwood furniture designed by the town's favorite son, Michael Thonet (1796–1871). The cane-bottom Stuhl Nr. 14 (Chair No. 14) is the classic found in coffeehouses around the world since 1859.

Take a ride on this 70-year-old chairlift and you'll be whisked a half-mile uphill to the Vierseenblick (Four-Lake View). It's called that because, at this particularly bendy point of the Rhine, the river appears to be a chain of four unconnected lakes. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes, but it's a rickety ride with your legs dangling, so it's not ideal for those scared of heights. Once at the top, as well as enjoying the views—including of Marksburg across the water—there are a number of hiking trails heading off into nature.