Drachenfelsbahn

Drachenfelsbahn is a historic funicular railway in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, that connects the town of Königswinter with the Drachenfels summit in the Siebengebirge. The line serves as both a transport link and a popular tourist attraction, offering views over the Rhine and access to the Drachenfels plateau and its castle ruins.

Constructed in the late 19th century, the Drachenfelsbahn has operated for more than a century as a cable-haulage system with two cars. The cars are connected by a single cable and move in opposite directions, passing each other on a short mid-station section of track. The ascent provides a brief, steep ride for visitors to the summit.

Today the line is operated by a regional transport company and maintained to meet safety standards for daily tourist traffic. Tickets are typically purchased at the lower Königswinter station or issued by staff at the platform. The journey is commonly combined with visits to the Drachenfels restaurant, the ruins of Drachenfels Castle, and the surrounding viewpoints of the Rhine valley.

Heritage and significance: The Drachenfelsbahn is part of the Rhine region’s cultural and industrial heritage, frequently mentioned in guides and local histories. While it has undergone modernization and safety upgrades over the years, the operation remains focused on preserving the historic character and providing access to the Drachenfels at the top of the hill.