cruising through the Rhine Gorge with its vistas of castles perched over steep vine
coloured slopes and towns deep in the valley close to the river's edge just
leaves the first-time visitor in ore the river has been an important trade route
into central Europe since prehistoric times and a string of small
settlements has grown up along the banks constrained in size many of these
old towns retain a historic feel today
with increasing wealth many castles
appeared and the valley became a core region of the Holy Roman Empire it was
at the center of the 30 years war which left many of the castles in ruins a
particular attraction for today's cruise ships which follow the river
at one time forming a border with France in the 19th century the valley became
part of Prussia and its landscape became the quintessential image of Germany
strategic location of the dramatic 65 kilometer stretch of the middle Rhine
Valley between Bingen and Rüdersheim as a transport archery and the prosperity
that this engendered is reflected in its 60 small towns the extensively
terraced vineyards and the ruins of castles that once defended its trade
at places the gorgeous steep winding and narrow the famous Lorelei is one point
where a fast current adds to the danger
was built by the local Prince Bishop to extract a toll on the river traffic
through his area chains were raised or lowered to stop or allow passage it was
also fortified with cannon and a formidable garrison
at times the amount of river traffic with barges loaded with all kinds of
wares and cruise ships shows how the river still contributes to Europe's economy
as spaceship as the local tourist boats are called docks on the upriver side of
the town
the quaint road train leaves for a musical recital but as it is only a
short walk to the town we decided to discover it for ourselves
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