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Travel

Upper Middle Rhine Valley

May 6, 2019

The Middle Rhine Valley between the cities of Bingen and Koblenz draws hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. Since the early 19th century, travelers have come here for the famous romantic ambience of the Rhine.

https://p.dw.com/p/19JC7
Deutsches Eck mit Moselmündung, Moselhafen und Anlegestelle für Kreuzfahrer, Moselbrücken, dahinter ein Teil der Altstadt und die modernen Hochhäuser
Stadt Koblenz deutsches EckImage: picture alliance/Rolf Wilms

The rise of river cruises made the Rhine River one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe. The riverine landscape with its steep slopes and medieval castles and ruins inspired painters, musicians, and poets of the Romantic era, who made the Rhine a focus of yearning. The winding river valley with its legend-entwined Lorelei rock, terraced vineyards, picturesque towns with half-timbered houses, and many castles make the Middle Rhine Valley a unique cultural landscape that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. Many of the medieval castles are hotels today. Staying within these venerable walls gives a visitor a feeling for how this landscape inspired the painters of the 19th century.