XXI
ANDERNACH AND SINZIG
Andernach
Andernach is one of the oldest cities in the Rhine valley, and grew up out of one of Drusus's camps, which was built here when the town was known as Antonacum.
This was its early history, as given by Ammien Marcellin; and a later authority mentions it as the second city of the electorate of Trèves (Die Andre Darnach).
In the records of Drusus's time, there is a reference to a château here, which was the fiftieth he had built upon the banks of the Rhine.
The kings of Austrasia had their palace here as well, so the place became a political and strategic city of very nearly the first rank.
In the middle ages Andernach shone brilliantly among the centres of commerce in the Rhine valley.