Mäuseturm (Mouse Tower)
Rising from its own private Rhine island just west of the Bingen bank, the Mäuseturm is one of the most photographed medieval silhouettes in the entire Rhine Valley — a slender, whitewashed tower that seems to float on the current. Its dark legend of Archbishop Hatto being devoured by mice makes it as gripping a story as any castle on the river.
A Tower Born of Roman Ambition
The tower's origins stretch back to Roman times, and it was rebuilt repeatedly over the centuries, serving first as a customs and toll post for Rhine shipping before becoming the navigational signal station it remained into the Prussian era.
Standing at the mouth of the treacherous Binger Loch — the rocky narrows that once wrecked countless cargo barges — it occupies one of the most strategically loaded spots on the entire river. The ruins of 13th-century Burg Ehrenfels are clearly visible from the park side of the tower, doubling the medieval atmosphere in a single glance.
The Legend That Gave It Its Name
Local lore tells of the cruel Archbishop Hatto II, who allegedly locked starving peasants in a barn and burned it — then fled to the island tower to escape their wrath. According to the legend, a swarm of mice swam out to the tower and devoured him alive.
Whether you believe it or not, the story has kept visitors coming for centuries, and the Kulturufer park surrounding the tower's viewpoint — redesigned for the 2008 State Garden Show — makes the whole riverside stretch a joy to wander even if you never set foot on the island itself.
Getting There & What to Expect
Visits to the tower interior are only possible on special guided boat tours, which depart seasonally from the Bingen riverbank — check the tourist office calendar before you go, as tour dates are limited and can change.
The Park am Mäuseturm on the mainland side is free to enter and features a mini-vineyard where all regional grape varieties are labelled and described, making it a gentle introduction to Rheinhessen wine culture before you head to a proper tasting.
Mäuseturm (Mouse Tower) on video
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