Königswinter

Königswinter is a town in the Rhein-Sieg-Kreis district of North Rhine‑Westphalia, Germany. It lies on the right bank of the Rhine, about 20 kilometres north of Bonn, and has a population of roughly 28,000 residents. The town was officially founded in 1869 from the merger of the villages of Königswinter, Mohrnstadt and Bockhorn, and it became part of the modern Rhein-Sieg-Kreis in 1975.

The landscape is dominated by the Eifel hill range to the south, including the well‑known Drachenfels. The Drachenfels is a basalt hill that has been a popular tourist destination since the 18th century and is famously associated with the legend of the dragon. From its summit a panoramic view of the Rhine river and the surrounding towns is available. Nearby are the Rococo‑style Schloss Drachenburg and the ruins of the former monasteries.

Königswinter’s economy is largely driven by tourism, supported by heritage sites, the annual Bachfest (a classical music festival), and river cruises. The town also hosts several small manufacturing sectors, particularly in precision engineering and metalworking.

The town is well connected by road and rail. Bundesstraße 255 and 255a provide road links to Bonn and the Ruhr area. Königswinter railway station is served by the regional S‑Rail network as part of the S1 line, offering quick access to Bonn and Cologne. Additionally, a dexterous network of Rhine riverboats offers scenic and practical transport along the waterway.