Rhine Gorge, Cultural landscape at Middle Rhine Valley, Germany
The Rhine Gorge is a river valley with steep rocky walls that runs along the Rhine for a considerable distance. Mountain slopes on both sides feature castles, vineyards, and small villages.
This valley has served as a trade route since ancient times, prompting the construction of numerous fortresses along its path. These strongholds were built to control access to this strategic waterway.
Wine growers have shaped this valley for generations through cultivation on steep slopes that define the local way of life. You see vineyards everywhere and can experience harvest season during autumn months.
The best way to explore this valley is by river cruise, which lets you see both banks and the castles from the water. You can also visit small villages perched on the hills and take walks through the landscape.
The Lorelei Rock marks a particularly narrow section where the river becomes hazardous, and ships once struggled to navigate safely through it. Today this striking rock formation serves as an iconic landmark of the valley.
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