The Rhine Valley
The
Middle Rhine Valley in western Germany, with its castles, historic towns
and vineyards, has a dramatic and varied natural landscape, a natural
timeline of the area's historical and cultural past and its sheer,
majestic beauty. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, the Upper
Middle Rhine Valley (Oberes Mittelrheintal) is both beautiful and an
outstanding example of how its role as one of the most important
transport routes in Europe for thousands of years facilitated cultural
exchange between the Mediterranean and the north.
The steep slopes of the river
have been terraced for agriculture for hundreds of years, and the warm
south-facing slopes make ideal areas for the cultivation of grapes for
the region's famous wines and add to the beauty of the river valley.
The captivating views of the
narrow valley, dotted with pretty towns and ruined castles and surrounded
by towering mountains have made this one of Germany's most important
areas for tourism. Its waters are plied by both commercial and pleasure
craft, especially cruisers, and the banks are home to more than 20
castles and historic ruins. Only two of the many fortresses,
Pfalzgrafenstein near Kaub-in-the-Rhine, and the Marksburg by Brauback,
are well preserved, most of the rest of the historic buildings, such as
the Werner Kapelle and the Chapel in Backarach, were ruined long ago,
while others have been converted into hotels.
One of the best-known
attractions in the river, which is seen to advantage from a boat cruise,
is the Lorelei rock near St Goarshausen. It rises 120 meters (390 feet)
above the water, and there are many legends about the water spirit who is
said to lure men to their doom here. Since the Age of Enlightenment, the
remarkable beauty of the Middle Rhine has captured the imagination of
musicians, artists and writers. The romantic visions of the crumbling
feudal castles, the lush emerald valleys and the dramatic mountains have
inspired poets, authors and composers such as Lord Byron, Alexandre
Dumas, Victor Hugo and Richard Wagner.
