The Rhine River in Germany: description and characteristics

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:41

Germany is one of the oldest states in Europe with an interesting history, architecture and natural landscape. One of the attractions of natural origin is the Rhine River. Its total length is 1,233 km.

General Description

The source of the river is in the Swiss Alps. The reservoir has two sources at Mount Reichenau at an altitude of 2 thousand meters:

• Anterior Rhine;
• The Posterior Rhine.

Then the river flows through the territory of several European countries, namely:

• Switzerland;
• Liechtenstein;
• Austria;
• Germany;
• France;
• Netherlands.

At the source, in a mountain range, the river is narrow, the banks are steep, so there are many rapids and waterfalls. As soon as the river passes Lake Constance, the channel widens, and after the city of Basel, the current turns sharply to the north and forms a wide expanse of water.

In some parts of the river there are sections where shipping is established. The reservoir has many tributaries, and before flowing into the North Sea, the river splits into many branches.

Feeding the pond

The Rhine River is mainly fed bymelt waters. It very rarely covers the reservoir with ice, and even if this happens, it does not last longer than 60 days. There are no strong floods on the river, and in the lowlands the water level almost never drops.

German biological disaster

Relatively recently, in 1986, an ecological disaster occurred on the Rhine River in Germany. A chemical plant caught fire and a huge amount of harmful substances appeared in the water, as a result of which fish died, in the amount of about 500 thousand individuals, some species disappeared altogether.

Naturally, the country's authorities have taken a number of measures to eliminate the consequences of the disaster. Emission standards for all enterprises have been tightened. To date, salmon has returned to the waters of the river. Until 2020, a new program is working to protect the reservoir, so that people can even swim.

Importance of the river for the country

It's safe to say that the Rhine River is to the Germans what the Volga is to the Russians. In fact, the Rhine connects two parts of the country: southern and northern.

The shores are full of industrial enterprises, vineyards and attractions, both natural and man-made.

The Rhine River in Germany is 1,233 kilometers long, but only 950 kilometers are navigable.

The deepest places of the river near the city of Dusseldorf - about 16 meters. Near the city of Mainz, the width of the river is 522 meters, and near Emmerich - 992 meters.

A littlemythology

There are many myths and legends associated with the river. One myth says that Siegfried fought the dragon on this river. And the well-known Roland at the mouth of the Rhine shed tears for his beloved.

Lorelei, described by many poets and playwrights, it was here that she sang "sweet" songs, lulling the vigilance of sailors who were heard and disappeared in the depths of the water. And in the narrowest part of the river there is a 200-meter mountain of the same name.

Mecca for tourists: description

The Rhine River is one of the most beautiful in the world, especially its 60 km long valley between the cities of Bonn and Bingen. This attraction is even included in the UNESCO world heritage list.

In the Middle Ages, castles were built on the banks, which have survived to this day. These are the sights that take the breath away from tourists. On the slopes are the notorious and most beautiful cities of Germany: Cologne, Heidelberg, Mosel, Mainz and others. And of course, it is in this valley that you can see Lake Constance, which has the status of one of the most beautiful reservoirs in the world.

Interesting fact: in the 19th century, visiting the river was included in the general curriculum for the education of European aristocrats.

Today, pleasure and sightseeing boats and motor ships ply the Rhine River.

Lake Constance

This is a 63-kilometer reservoir of three European countries: Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Has a lower and upper part connected by a riverRhine. There is a developed infrastructure on the shores of the lake, with year-round resorts. In summer, tourists not only sunbathe and swim, but also go in for windsurfing and sailing. And along the perimeter of the reservoir there is a 260-kilometer bike path.

Laneck Castle

This ancient building is located in the town of Lahnstein, at the confluence of two rivers: the Lahn and the Rhine. The castle was built in 1226 and never served as a customs house, but was a protective border of the northern possessions. Over the years of its existence, a chapel was erected here, and many owners have changed. After a 30-year war, in 1633, the castle was completely devastated and subsequently abandoned.

However, Goethe saw the building in 1774 and was greatly admired by its architecture, and dedicated a poem to the castle.

In 1906 Admiral Robert Mischke acquires Larek, and to this day his descendants are the owners. In 1930, the doors of the first floor were opened to visitors, the remaining floors remained residential.

Marksburg Castle

Not far from Laneck, on the Middle Rhine, in the town of Braubach is Marksburg Castle. The first mention of the building dates back to 1231.

The most interesting thing is that during the war with the French (1689-1692), all the castles on the banks of the river were destroyed, only Maxburg managed to resist.

For a long time it was in private hands, and in 1900 the society of castles in Germany buys it from the owner for 1000 gold marks. Since 2002, the object has been listed by UNESCO.

German Corner

In the place where the river Moselle converges with the Rhine is Koblenz. This is not a small and quiet city, but a place called "German Corner" that you should definitely visit. It is here that there is a monument to William I, who proudly sits on a horse. The height of the building is 37 meters. But, the most interesting thing is the observation deck on the monument, which offers a view of the place where the Moselle flows into the Rhine.

The city itself is famous for the fact that Beethoven's mother was born here. Her house has an exhibition dedicated to her son.

From the city of Koblenz, tourists usually go to Rüdesheim. The distance between them is 100 kilometers. And in these open spaces there are about 40 castles dating back to the 10th century and older.

If the journey runs along the river, then tourists will definitely be told the legend of the rapids called "Seven Virgins". The myth says that the owner of the Schonburg castle had 7 wayward daughters who did not want to obey their father and marry those whom he proposed. As a result, the daughters tried to swim across the Rhine, and their father turned them into 7 stones.

Germany and the banks of the Rhine River - a huge number of sights, myths and beautiful natural landscapes that you should definitely see with your own eyes.