Discover Kaub: Town History, Vineyards and Castles

Kaub combines narrow old-town lanes and half-timbered houses with a rich history: Blücher’s crossing of the Rhine, old fortifications, winemaking and trails through the vineyards offer different perspectives on the town. When planning your trip, you can choose between museums and town history, a circular trail and a visit to the island castle of Pfalzgrafenstein.

Old Town, Fortifications and Church

Kaub’s historic old town is characterized by narrow lanes, half-timbered houses and a medieval atmosphere. You can still walk along the remains of the old town wall. The southern extension of the fortifications ended at the Dicker Turm, a round tower with a twelve-sided wooden defensive gallery. The Weseler Turm and Philippinenburg have also been preserved as parts of Kaub’s fortifications.

The Simultankirche St. Trinitatis und St. Nikolaus is another example of the connection between church and military history: it houses both the Protestant and Catholic churches under one roof. Its 27-metre-high tower was once part of the town fortifications. A copy of the Madonna of Kaub can be seen in the church. As access arrangements may vary, it is advisable to check before visiting.

Blücher and Kaub’s Museums

The Blücher Museum focuses on Blücher’s crossing of the Rhine near Kaub in 1813. Exhibits include contemporary mementos, pictures, information panels and a tin-soldier diorama. An associated interactive walk begins at the Blücher monument and follows the historic events through Kaub.

Other museums explore local working and river traditions. The Slate Mining Museum displays objects belonging to miners, tools and scenes from slate production. The Pilots’ Museum explains the work of the former Kaub Rhine pilots. Kaub thus brings together a range of subjects: the Rhine crossing of 1813, slate mining and the former work of pilots on the river.

Circular Trail, Vineyards and Gutenfels Castle

The Kaub Cultural Hiking Trail is an approximately two-hour circular route that takes you through the historic town. Part of it is the Gutenfels Trail, which climbs through newly planted vineyards to Gutenfels Castle. If you are comparing how to plan your time, the circular trail gives you an approximate timeframe; check current conditions on site for information about the paths.

Gutenfels Castle dates back to around 1220 and is an example of a late Romanesque hilltop castle. The wine-growing landscape also reflects a long history of use: a gift deed from 983 records winemaking in Kaub. The vineyard terraces are built with dry-stone walls made without mortar. The vineyard below Gutenfels Castle is considered one of the best wine-growing sites on the Middle Rhine. The castle’s history and winemaking can be explored as two distinct themes that are both closely connected to Kaub.

More Trails and the Rhine

The Rhine Camino, a pilgrimage route on the German Way of St. James, runs from Oberlahnstein to Kaub. Unlike the Cultural Hiking Trail, it is described as a route between two towns. Check the current trail signs before setting out. From Kaub’s riverbank, a small passenger ferry takes visitors to the island castle of Pfalzgrafenstein; check the current operating conditions before travelling. Middle Rhine Rafting is a rafting activity associated with Kaub. Check in advance whether it is available.

Kaub in the Wider Rhein-Lahn Travel Destination

The right-bank section of the Rhein-Lahn district, from Kaub to Lahnstein, lies in the Loreley Valley and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. The World Heritage Site covers a 65-kilometre stretch between Bingen, Rüdesheim and Koblenz, with historic small towns, terraced vineyards and castle ruins. This wider context adds a regional perspective to Kaub’s town history and winemaking traditions.

Discover more destinations: Filsen, Prath, Kamp-Bornhofen, Sankt Goarshausen, Sauerthal, Osterspai, Braubach, Kestert.

View the overall travel guide: Loreley.