The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Siebengebirge

SIEBENGEBIRGE, zē'bĕn-gĕ-bēr'gė (Seven Mountains), Germany, a small chain of mountains near the Rhine, in Rhenish Prussia, 20 miles above Cologne. Above the main range rise seven lofty summits, whence the name. These rugged heights are all crowned with ruins of ancient lordly castles of the 12th century. Ölberg is the highest peak (1,522 feet); while the Drachenfels (q.v.) is the more interesting. Cologne Cathedral was built from stones quarried in these Rhenish Mountains. Some of the peaks are ascended by specially built railways. The scenery is romantic and interesting.