I have met them all. Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Silvia of Sweden. Pope John Paul II, Nelson Mandela and Michael Gorbachev. They have all been guests in the Rhine-Erft district in the city triangle of Cologne, Bonn and Aachen. My magnificent Augustusburg Palace in Brühl, which together with the neighbouring Jagschlösschen Falkenlust and the adjoining gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was for a long time the representative palace of the Federal Government and the Federal President. No wonder! Just take a look at the baroque staircase. Wow! You'll understand why princes from other countries were once envious of me and my splendour.
In fact, the nobility and high nobility have always felt at home here and sought proximity to the rivers of the "Rhine Bay". Today, I am considered the region with the most moated castles in the whole of Germany. There are said to be around 120, from all eras. I can't even list them all. So why don't you come and visit some of the historic buildings yourself or take a stroll through the beautiful parks. I promise you, no two are the same. And who knows, maybe you'll feel a little aristocratic yourself when you visit.
By the way, you are welcome to come by bike. Many of my guests do. Because my favourite cycle routes run directly along the rivers Erft and Rhine. And of course there is also a special moated castle route that you can cycle to the nobility on.
