The legend of Siegfried the Dragon Slayer, of Kriemhild, Brunhild, the evil Hagen and the treasure of the Nibelungs plays a fundamental role in German folklore. Most Germans will remember some excerpt or other from this monumental medieval work, whose original Middle High German version comprises 2300 verses. Siegfried's battle with the dragon Fafnir stands out particularly, of course.
Destination Germany has been and visited the places where the Song of the Nibelungs is set. The journey begins in Xanten, where Siegfried is said to have been born, and leads up the Rhine to Worms. This was once the site of the Burgundian royal court, and this is also where the Nibelung legend took its tragic course. Today, the "Nibelungen Museum" stands here, whose multimedia exhibition sheds light on the epic story from many different angles. And the mighty cathedral still stands here too, just as it did when the Song of the Nibelungs was written down. This would also be the place to look for the treasure of the Nibelungs, because according to the legend, Hagen sunk it in the Rhine at Worms.
Tourist Information Xanten
Kurfurstenstr. 9
46509 Xanten
+49 (0) 2801-983020
+49 (0) 2801-71664
Additional sources of information:
Kriemhildmuhle / Kriemhild Mill
Nordwall 5
46509 Xanten
+49 (0) 2801-6556
+49 (0) 2801-90187
Nibelungen Museum Worms / The Nibelungs Museum Worms
Fischerpfurtchen 10
67547 Worms
+49 (0) 6241-202120
Tourist Information Worms
Neumarkt 14
67547 Worms
+49 (0) 6241-25045
+49 (0) 6241-26328
Gustehaus Klever Tor c/o Tourist Info Xanten
Kurfurstenstr. 9
46509 Xanten
+49 (0) 2801-983020
+49 (0) 2801-71664