Alsace and the Rhine

Rhine Gorge

On our fourth day, we left Koblenz and head back south through the Rhine Gorge. The Rhine Gorge, also known as the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, extends from Koblenz south to Rudesheim, a distance of 40 miles. On the high ground above the small towns next to the river are many castles most being built in the medieval times of the Holy Roman Empire. . Some were built for defensive reasons and others for controlling an area of the river for tolls. The castles today are a mix of public buildings, like museums and hotels. Others are private residences and still others are ruins.

Along this stretch of the Rhine is the Lorelei statue that commemorates the navigational problem posed by the very large outcrop next to the river. In times past, boats were dashed against the rock by the strong currents of the narrow gorge.

History and Facts about the Rhine Gorge