It might not be the most obvious choice of German holiday destination but the historic and fascinating town of Boppard (pronounced bop-part) offers many compelling reasons to visit. First among these is Boppard's enviable location; the town occupies a remarkably scenic spot on the largest horseshoe bend in the River Rhine. This area falls within the popular Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002 recognised for its abundance of ancient castles, historic towns and villages, vineyards and outstanding natural beauty.
A history that began in the fourth century with a Roman fortress
and settlement has bestowed a wealth of stunningly-preserved
historic buildings upon Boppard from the remains of the original
Roman city wall to the twelfth-century Church of St. Severus,
notable for its twin spires and beautiful stained-glass windows,
and to the many half-timbered houses which were built in the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
Like many of its neighbouring towns, Boppard benefits from a warm
and sunny microclimate and fertile soil that make perfect
conditions for the cultivation of grapes, and the town is renowned
for the quality of the wine it produces from the large Riesling
vineyards which dominate much of the river valley. An annual autumn
Wine Festival celebrates Boppard's winemaking heritage, but the
fruits of this traditional industry can be sampled at any time of
year at any of the town's excellent wine taverns.
Whilst the town offers visitors a variety of memorable sights, activities and experiences to enjoy, Boppard's location within the Rhine Gorge makes it an ideal destination for those who appreciate wildlife, natural beauty and the great outdoors. An unmissable way in which to obtain the very best views of the town, river and their spectacular surroundings is to take the Sesselbahn Boppard. Built in the 1950s, this chair lift makes a leisurely 240-metre ascent of the hillside above Boppard, arriving at a terrace called Gideon's Corner which provides an unrivalled view of the largest bend in the Rhine. A few minutes' walk from here rewards visitors with a second, and unique, view of the river. From the Vierseenblick ('Four-lakes-view') lookout point the unusual geographical layout ahead it appears that the viewer is seeing four separate lakes rather than a single stretch of river.
Covering an area of forty-four square kilometres, Boppard's Municipal Forest is one of the region's largest and is a tranquil and idyllic place in which visitors can wander at leisure and admire the local plants, flowers, birds and wildlife. Those who enjoy walking can choose from almost two hundred kilometres of trails which traverse the stunning landscapes surrounding Boppard.
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