"Adlerturm" Top 5 Page for this destination Rüdesheim am Rhein Things to Do Tip by toonsarah

One of the most prominent features if you approach Rüdesheim from the river as we did is the Adlerturm or Eagles’ Tower. This late Gothic corner tower was built in the second part of the 15th century as a part of the city fortifications. It is 20.5 metres high and its interior has a 5 metre diameter within the metre thick walls. As well as helping to defend the town, it functioned as a warning tower when the river was frozen, with a fire on its top indicating whether it was safe to cross the ice.

In the 19th century the tower housed an inn, Zum Adler (“In the Eagle”). A frequent guest was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the famous German poet, who would stay here in order to enjoy the wonderful views of the river. Today it belongs to a bank and is not open to the public.

Directions: On the river bank near the southern end of town, where the river boats moor