Zons - Burg Satzvey

Route: Dusseldorf - Zons - Burg Satzvey - Dusseldorf
Duration: 5 h
Firstly we will make a stop at the city Zons which began as a Rheintor, or a tollway along the Rhine River, like Kaiserwerth to the north, but 200 years later. During the middle ages when much of central Europe was regulated by the Holy Roman Empire through various factions of kingdoms, river transport was the fastest way to transport goods across the continent. Control of the river ways was powerful means of dictating what and who came into particular territories, and generating income. Toll gates were established along many of the major rivers across the continent for this purpose, a practice which continued for centuries. The toll gate at Zons, or the Rheintor, was established for this purpose by the Archbishop of Cologne in 1322. The management and security of a toll required personnel and soldiers. This prompted the building of the wall around the city, and various structures for administrative purposes,to protect the funds and interests of the state. Throughout the centuries, the city of Zons underwent a number of different tragedies and challenges. It was all but destroyed by fire on 3 separate occasions, in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. It was also ravaged by the plague 3 times, all within the 17th century. It was damaged by artillery in the Burgundy War and the War of Cologne, and took direct cannonball fire from the Hessians in 1646, during the Thirty Year War. With its intact city walls, gates and towers, it is unique in the lower Rhine Valley, and Zons medieval village was recognized as a historical monument a German fairy tale village. Next we will visit the Satzvey Castle which is one of the best-kept moated castles in Rhineland, whose origins go back to the 12th century.  The castle’s lineage has spread over many ancient royal families. It began with the Benedictines, until the Archbishop of Cologne gave the lordship to Otto von Vey in 1368. Although the castle has retained the name Vey (partially), the family’s ownership of Burg Satzvey was far less enduring. By 1391, the last of the line had died out and it passed on to Heinrich von Krauthausen. Von Krauthausen was the son-in-law of Otto von Vey, and was chiefly responsible for the construction of the Satzvey Castle we know today.After we return to Dusseldorf.
Price: per person