We stayed in Bonn for three days. These were good days as we managed to find enough non-rain time to do some interesting wandering around the city and to the Drachenfels ruins just outside of Konigswinter, which is about a dozen kilometres from Bonn. Of course, the biggest draw for Bonn was Beethoven. No matter where we wandered, there was always something about Beethoven to be discovered: where he played the organ in church, where he stayed with his grandfather, and all the other bits of trivia that one would expect to find regarding a famous figure.
As we toured around the city, we found the various parks, markets, churches and various interesting statues. One of the highlights for me was the University of Bonn – I know, surprise, surprise – where we saw the words, “Science is thinking without barriers.” These are powerful words in today’s world where so many leaders of various countries deny what science is trying to tell us about our planet.
Our trip to Drachenfels proved to be another highlight, one which we had planned for before leaving home. The ruins of a castle with a story of a dragon and a hero sat at the top of a small mountain. Half way up the mountain, a more modern castle from the 1800’s told a different story. It seems that there are more than enough stories to be told, some in paintings, some in poetry, and some in music such as the Nibelung opera by Wagner which was inspired by the ruins at the top of the mountain.
There was too much to see, too many interesting photos and stories. With our time for Bonn at an end, it was time to move to Luxembourg.