In Andernach in 2009, a new attraction started erupting regularly. Rising to a height of 64 meters at its maximum, this attraction — called Geysir Andernach — is the largest cold water geyser in the world. Powered by carbon dioxide, just like shaken table water, the effect is quite impressive.
The geyser first erupted in 1905, but it is only recently that the locals have built a visitors park in the area.
You can’t blame them for feeling that there were already plenty of attractions in Andernach. Founded by the Romans in 12 B.C. to replace an older Celtic settlement, the town itself has always been a tourist draw. Massive water wheels that take 2 – 4 men to operate, medieval towers and churches, historic town buildings and other structures all compete with the liquid attractions.
Andernach sits on the edge of the Rhine, and just upriver the river narrows into what is called the Romantic Middle Rhine. If you are in town with your sweetie you will be obligated to take a boat tour to appreciate the scenery together.
The town also has the largest maar lake (it’s a bowl shape), creatively called Lake of Laach. Boating and other water sports make it a popular spot.
Namedy Castle is also a popular spot, offering chamber music and jazz festival evenings. Around Namedy you can hike and camp, or take a historic narrow-gauge train trip to explore the mountain valleys and volcanic craters. If you hate roller coasters, you won’t like this, although its hardly extreme. Still, the steep hills aren’t for everyone! ;-)
And yet, the views of the forests and hills over the river still can’t seem to hold a candle to the highly anticipated geyser park. A good balance in your trip would be to take a day to see the geyser and river, and then a day to do all the inland adventures.
The photographs will be worth it, and the many antiqued bed and breakfast hotels ensure the overnight will be memorable, too.