The Rolandsbogen is the remaining part of the former Castle Rolandseck whose ruin collapsed after an earthquake in 1673 so that only this one castle window was left. In the 19th century it became a highlight of the so-called Rhine romanticism.
The impressive view through this window shows the Siebengebirge uplands, e.g. the Drachenfels and Petersberg hills, on the other side of the Rhine.
In 1839 also the Rolandsbogen collapsed, so the poet Ferdinand Freiligrath collected donations for rebuilding it and the leading architect of the cathedral at Cologne Ernst Friedrich Zwirner made the technical plans so it could be be rebuilt in the following year.
The painter Andreas Achenbach created in 1834 a painting of the Rolandsbogen:https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burg_Rolandseck#/media/File:Andreas_Achenbach_Rolandsbogen_1834.jpg
The impressive view through this window shows the Siebengebirge uplands, e.g. the Drachenfels and Petersberg hills, on the other side of the Rhine.
In 1839 also the Rolandsbogen collapsed, so the poet Ferdinand Freiligrath collected donations for rebuilding it and the leading architect of the cathedral at Cologne Ernst Friedrich Zwirner made the technical plans so it could be be rebuilt in the following year.
The painter Andreas Achenbach created in 1834 a painting of the Rolandsbogen:https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burg_Rolandseck#/media/File:Andreas_Achenbach_Rolandsbogen_1834.jpg
Here are three impressions from my recent visit:
