Zons

“A toll?” a gruff voice echoed through the centuries. “You want to charge ME a toll to sail on the Rhine?” Zons, in the 14th century, wasn’t just a picturesque town. It was a powerhouse of commerce. Archbishop Friedrich III von Saarwerden, a man who knew the value of a good Rhine crossing, established a toll station here. He also fortified Zons, ensuring those tolls were paid. Zons quickly became known as Feste Zons, Fortress Zons. The imposing Friedestrom Castle, at the heart of the fortress, became a symbol of the town’s power. Today, as you stand before Zons, you’re not just seeing charming medieval architecture. You’re stepping back into a time of shrewd archbishops and bustling river trade. Look around. The town walls, almost perfectly preserved, whisper stories of sieges and prosperity. Those very walls, made of basalt stone and stretching over 300 meters north to south and 250 meters east to west, once protected the town’s 124 house plots. Imagine the activity within these walls. Merchants haggling, craftsmen toiling, and the ever-present toll collectors ensuring the archbishop’s coffers remained full. Even the names of the towers tell a story. The Krötschenturm, the Mülenturm, the Juddeturm, each played a vital role in the town’s defense. Zons wasn’t just a fortress; it was a community. The parish church of St. Martinus served the townspeople, and the town’s layout, planned and executed with precision, speaks to a well-organized society. The Rhine, Zons’ eastern border, was its lifeline. The river brought trade and prosperity, and the ferry, still operating today, connected Zons to Düsseldorf-Urdenbach on the opposite bank. While the Rhine Gate and Field Gate, the town’s two main entrances, have been partially dismantled, the South Gate, leading from the killing ground to the lower ward, remains impressively intact. Zons may no longer be the bustling toll station of the 14th century. Yet, its well-preserved architecture and rich history offer a unique glimpse into a bygone era. As you leave Zons, carry with you the echoes of those who built, defended, and thrived within these ancient walls. Remember the gruff merchants and the watchful archbishop, all players in the story of Zons, the Fortress on the Rhine.