Niederwald Monument

The Niederwald Monument above Rüdesheim am Rhein is one of Germany's best-known national monuments, crowned by a giant bronze Germania gazing out over the vineyards of the Rheingau. Built to celebrate the founding of the German Empire after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71, it is free to visit and offers one of the finest panoramas on the Rhine, right at the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Riding the cable car up from Rüdesheim is half the fun.

A monument to a new empire

Emperor Wilhelm I laid the foundation stone in 1877, and the monument was unveiled on September 28, 1883. Sculptor Johannes Schilling of Dresden designed it, with architect Karl Weissbach responsible for the base and terraces. The unveiling nearly ended in disaster: a group of anarchists planned to blow up the emperor during the ceremony, but the plot failed. Visitors flocked here from the start: a mountain railway carried them up from 1885 until it was damaged in 1944, and the cable car has done the job since 1954. Today the monument is a striking piece of 19th-century nationalism, best viewed with that historical context in mind.

What to see

• Germania, about 12 meters (40 feet) tall, holding up the imperial crown with her sword lowered; the whole monument rises roughly 38 meters (125 feet)
• The main relief with 133 life-size figures, including the emperor on horseback surrounded by princes, generals and soldiers, above the lyrics of the patriotic song "Die Wacht am Rhein"
• Allegories of war and peace, and figures of Father Rhine and Daughter Moselle
• Sweeping views over the vineyards to the Rhine, the mouth of the Nahe River and the town of Bingen

Next to the monument, the 18th-century Ostein Park has woodland trails and lookout points.

Hours, tickets and the cable car

As of October 2026:

• The monument and park are open year-round and free of charge.
• The Rüdesheim cable car runs daily from 9:30 am between March 21 and November 1, 2026, pauses November 2–18, then runs daily 11 am–6 pm during the Christmas market (November 19 to December 23).
• A round trip costs €12 for adults and €6 for children aged 5–15; one way is €7.50 / €3.50.

Note for 2026: the chairlift at nearby Assmannshausen is out of service, so the popular loop combining cable car, chairlift and Rhine boat is not available this year.

How to get there

Rüdesheim is about an hour from Frankfurt by regional train, making this an easy day trip from Frankfurt or Wiesbaden; regional trains are covered by the Deutschlandticket. Many Rhine cruises also stop in Rüdesheim, and a ferry links the town with Bingen across the river. From the old town, the open-air gondolas glide over the vineyards straight to the monument. If you drive, the parking lot near the monument costs €4 per day for cars, according to the town of Rüdesheim.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, for the views alone. Combine the monument with a stroll through Rüdesheim's lively Drosselgasse lane and a glass of Riesling from the surrounding Rheingau vineyards. Plan one to two hours for the cable car, monument and park. Come early in the morning or in late afternoon for softer light and fewer crowds. The State Palaces and Gardens of Hesse offer background information through their "Kulturschätze" app, and there is a restaurant at the visitor center.