Schloss Drachenburg

About

For being just over 100 years old, Schloss Drachenburg has an event-filled history. Its original owner died before he could move in, and it was then transformed into a summer retreat. Following World War I, it was made into a Christian boys school, which was then converted into an elite Nazi school. After the war, it was used as a railroad training center, but was abandoned and scheduled for demolition after the railroad office moved. Fortunately, Paul Spinat, an eccentric businessman, purchased the property in 1971. Thanks to his restoration efforts, the castle was restored to its former glory, with a facade so impressive it even inspired Andy Warhol. The interiors today reflect Spinat’s eccentric tastes, and feel like a romanticisation of the Gothic aesthetic. When you tear yourself away from the stunning facade, the castle’s hilltop location offers the best view of the Rhine in the region.