Day 3: Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim Germany

The morning was a sail through the Rhine Gorge, home to over 30 castles.  We also passed Lorelei Rock, in the narrowest and steepest part of the gorge.  Named for a spirit that bewitched sailors and caused them to damage their boats, it might also have made for a good excuse for poor seamanship.  

 One village features a church built in such a way that parishioners must pass through the post office to get to it:  the church is white, the post office, yellow. 

There is even a castle in the middle of the river. 

 Then there is the story of the two brothers who loved the same woman, and built castles across a gap to stare each other down. 

After the gorge, we stopped in Rudesheim, famous for its beer and its Mechanical Music Museum.

 This mechanical instrument plays real violins.

 This mechanical piano was played by Franz Liszt, and recorded his playing.  Listening to it now is to listen to the music as Liszt himself played it. 

 For so many old mechanical machines, a workshop is required. 

 Then it was a walk through town back to the ship.