Rudesheim Part 1 - Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Museum

I have many great memories of my visit to Rudesheim in 1980, when I was able to fly, so was simply delighted to see it again as we travelled along the beautiful Rhine Gorge. It is a typical Bavarian village, with narrow cobbled streets full of brightly-coloured flowers, picturesque villas, shops, outdoor cafes and beer gardens, and a festive, happy atmosphere. Behind and around it were wooded hills with vineyards up the steep slopes, and a cable car that goes to near the top of the hill directly behind the village, where there is a large monument.

On our arrival we boarded the ‘Winzerexpress’ mini-train and rode through the main part of the village to Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Museum. Our guide there showed us the most fascinating collection of mechanical musical instrument. Many were very ornate, with moving dolls and animals to delight every child (and grown up!). There was one instrument that sounded as though many parts of the orchestra were trapped inside, and another that played several violins all at once. Another highlight was some very old music boxes on which tiny mechanical birds twirled and sang - they sounded so real!

The mansion in which the collection was held was several hundred years old, and had many interconnecting rooms. Whilst there we also saw old music rooms with frescoes on the walls and ceilings, which clearly were there to make the gatherings of the people who were invited for musical evenings way back then an even more beautiful, memorable experience. 

The craftsmanship and ingenuity and artistry we saw on display in this museum was simply astounding. Apart from all of its other attractions, it was so worth visiting Rudesheim just for this.

I would add that German craftsmanship and precision engineering is still outstanding, of course. This was shown in the two rooms of beautiful items that were on sale for visitors. I would have so loved to purchase one of their mechanical birds or carousels or music boxes. They would give so much delight to anyone who saw them.

An incredible machine in which pipes and a range of other parts worked together to sound like a small orchestra.

This was part of a music machine that occupied almost an entire wall in a smallish room. As the music played, figures moved in and out.

This too was just part of an elaborate music machine.

The sound produced by the gramophone with the gold speaker was quite extraordinary. We heard Doris Day singing 'When I was just a little girl . . .' as clear as a bell.

The fresco in a music room containing a grand piano.

The fresco in an adjoining music room perhaps used for get-togethers on Sundays. 

There was a showcase full of beautiful music boxes with singing birds.

An orchestra of dressed-up monkeys played for fine ladies and gentlemen in this extraordinary machine. Each figure moved as the music played. 

One of the delightful carousel music boxes available for purchase at the gift shop.

Musical birds now available - you can see they cost quite a few hundred euros.

An exquisite music box that is a replica of one of the ones we saw in the exhibition. The bird twirls around the circle as it sings. 

Our 'mini-train'.

Walking into the museum.