0608
07

The »Hostile Brothers«

William Turner - Site 07: The »Hostile Brothers«
The »Hostile Brothers« (Watercolour, 1817) ©Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge/Bridgeman Images
  • William Turner - Site 07: The »Hostile Brothers«
  • Bad Salzig; the Hostile Brothers
Installation complete

Bad Salzig; the Hostile Brothers

Turner places the »Hostile Brothers« – the castles of Sterrenberg and Liebenstein – on an unnaturally high mountain ridge. In reality the slopes, as seen from the riverbank in Bad Salzig, appear considerably lower. The light conditions depicted here may well come very close to the actual atmosphere at the time. Coming from Boppard, he looks back in order to capture this perspective. Turner, too, would probably have been familiar with the legend of the two brothers who, due to their profound mutual hatred, erected a »wall of discord« between their castles, producing this unique architectural constellation. Today Castle Sterrenberg is owned by the Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate and is used as a restaurant. Castle Liebenstein is privately owned and accommodates a hotel and restaurant.


Watercolour, 1817
Medium: watercolour on washed paper
Dimensions: 212 x 327 mm
Collection: The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge; Turner Worldwide
Reference: TW0089; Wilton 651

Tips

If you’re looking for somewhere to rest and unwind, Bad Salzig’s Kurpark is highly recommended – a green oasis in a side valley of the Rhine.

Tips

Hiking: The RheinBurgenWeg hiking trail and »Fünfseenblick« circular trail are approx. 15 min. away.

Installation complete
Directions

Address: Rhine riverbank, Bad Salzig

Site: The Turner plaque is located on the Rhine riverbank near the southern B9 underpass

Public Transport: Bad Salzig railway station: approx. 5 min. walk

By bike: Rheinradweg cycle route – no detour necessary

Parking: Parking available on the other side of the B9