Alken / Germany

Alken is surrounded by vineyards and is dominated by the castle "Thurant", the emblem of Alken. The red double-tower castle with its two towers, the blue roofs, the tin walls and the silver door are indicators of the construction in mediaeval times. Included in the system is a castle courtyard with cisterns, a torture chamber, a hunting room, a little museum with a collection of furniture, armament and artwork as well as many wine cellars, which feature old machines for the production of wine. Winetastings are arranged as well. From the castle you have a wonderful panorama view across the forests of the Hunsrück and the Moselle loop. Witnesses of past centuries can still be seen in the old town: a thick defense and costums tower, city gates, towers and remains of the circular wall and the old "St. Michaels´s Church" with wall frescos, ossuary and a nice staircase.