Katz

When you pass the Lorelei you approach Sankt (Saint) Goarshausen, where you find Burg Katz (Castle Cat).  This castle is one of the most picturesque along the Rhein, and provides beautiful photos from virtually any direction... unless the weather isn't cooperating!

This castle was built by the Katzenelnbogen family, and hence the name.  The photos below show the view from the Lorelei in 1979, and in 2007.  One can see the further development of the town below.

While the castle is privately owned, and thus no visitors, you can still hike to it for some fantastic views of the Rhein.  There are usually multiple paths to castles, but the one I took was unique, as it passed through narrow walkways directly in front of people's apartments and homes!  When taking such paths, it is always good to be respectful of people's privacy by moving quickly and quietly.  Germans (at least in the Western part) are very tolerant of tourists... but that doesn't give us a right to abuse this!

To reach this path, start from the street below (photo lower left).  From this point, go to the main "T" intersection and start walking from the river.  In just a few meters you will see a very small sign on the right, and a narrow gap in the buildings.  It will lead up the trail pictured below.

When I took the photo below left, a lady passerby spoke up and said "Burg Katz, ja?"  Her Rheinland accent was so heavy that at first I couldn't even understand her!  She had to repeat herself before I realized what she was saying (something THAT simple in German).  Regional accents can be quite diverse in Germany... but then again these Germans must think I'm awful butchering their language with my Schwabishe accent!