September 17, 2018
Bonn is a small town with some big companies… it is the birthplace of Beethoven and Haribo and the World Headquarters for DHL. It is the former capital of West Germany and on the banks of the Rhine River.
Epic Things to do:
Birthplace of Beethoven
Munster Square – statue of Beethoven, Bonn Minster-Basilica
Nearby – See the Drachenfels
Beethoven was born in the house/now museum in December of 1770. There are all kinds of portraits of him and his family and other people who influenced his life. In addition to some old pianos and musical instruments you also see music that he wrote and signed. A great way to really get a better sense of the real person behind the music. Did you know he did his first concert at 8 years old?
Munster Square – A square in the heart of the city with the Beethoven Statue, historical buildings, the Basilica and lots of shops and cafes nearby.
The Drachenfels – The Drachenfels railway makes a fun day of taking the cog train up the mountain to see castle ruins at the top, along with the most fabulous view of the Rhine River and surrounding countryside. You can then walk down (or ride) halfway to the Drachenfel Castle. You can choose to tour the inside of the castle and then grab some refreshments before continuing your walk to the bottom. The view from the top of the mountain is epic!
Overall – The Drachenfels make for a wonderful day trip and Bonn takes only few hours to explore. If you are in the area or a big Beethoven fan, then make the stop. Or if you have extra time in the area, dive in and discover another gem.
