Bingen am Rhein Cruise Port

Bingen am Rhein is a town in the Mainz Bingen district of Rhineland Palatinate, Germany, situated where the Nahe River meets the Rhine. The town stands at the southeastern end of the Rhine Gorge, marking the southern boundary of the UNESCO Rhine Gorge World Heritage Site. Here, the Rhine turns into the dramatic Middle Rhine Valley, with steep vineyards and castle topped cliffs creating the scenery that makes this stretch of the river so distinctive.

Bingen’s history is closely tied to its position on the river. The town was the starting point for the Via Ausonia, a Roman military road linking Bingen with Trier. One of its best known stories concerns the Mouse Tower, where legend says Hatto II, the Archbishop of Mainz, was eaten by mice. Since the 19th century, the story has increasingly been associated with Hatto I instead.

The town’s landmarks reflect its long history. Hornstein Castle, the ruins of a former Reichsfestung built in the late 13th century, is among Bingen’s best known attractions. A riverside museum is largely devoted to Saint Hildegard von Bingen and the history and romance of the Rhine Gorge. Hildegard was a medieval polymath, composer and abbess, and her music continues to be performed today.

Wine is another important part of Bingen’s character. The town lies at the meeting point of three wine growing areas, Rheinhessen, Mittelrhein and Nahe. The annual Winzerfest wine festival lasts for 11 days and is the longest wine festival on the Rhine, bringing the town’s wine traditions into focus.

Bingen is also an important starting point for Rhine river trips, with the railway station only a short walk from the boats. For cruise passengers, the town provides an opportunity to explore the history, wine culture and scenery of a particularly dramatic section of the Rhine, where vineyards, castles and river traffic come together at an important turning point in the valley.