St. Goar, at the marina, looking towards the Rhine Valley and Burg Rheinfels, Werlau/Gründelbach Valley
Just outside the town of St. Goar this view of the Rhine Valley opens up, with St. Goarshausen and Castle Katz in the background. Turner, however, chooses not to use the view of Castle Rheinfels as seen from this position. He combines it with a second perspective, which is revealed at the Gründelbach Valley in the direction of Werlau. He makes the valley narrower and extends the Rhine hillsides upwards. In the foreground Turner adds a few ruins to complete the picture. Castle Rheinfels is a recurring motif in Turner’s tours and sketches of the Rhine. Today Castle Rheinfels accommodates a hotel and restaurant. The ruins are open to the public.
Watercolour, 1817
Medium: watercolour on washed paper with scratching out
Dimensions: 190 x 311 mm
Collection: Yale Center for British Arts, Paul Mellon Collection
Reference: Wilton 650
Hiking: The RheinBurgenWeg hiking trail is approx. 10 min. away.
The William Turner Route was officially opened here in 2018. The eponymous Turner-Platz is the ideal starting point for exploring other painting sites in the St. Goar area. They are easily accessible on foot or by bike.
Castle Rheinfels is the largest ruined castle in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley and is open to the public.
Address: William Turner Platz, St. Goar
Site: The Turner plaque is located at William Turner Platz at the southern end of the St. Goar town harbour
Public Transport: St. Goar railway station: approx. 10 min. walk
By bike: short detour from the Rheinradweg cycle route: approx. 2 min.
Parking: Parking available at the site