Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, https://www.britannica.com/place/Rhine-River, Rhine River - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Rhine River - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Lake Constance. A hillside vineyard along the Rhine River. Germany’s longest river, and one of the longest in Europe, the Rhine (German: Rhein) originates in the Alps of the Swiss state of Graubünden.By the time it flows into Lake Constance a.k.a. ; River: Explore fairytale castles and vineyards along the riverbanks. The city of Laufenburg on the Rhine River in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Greater flexibility Our Rhine itineraries range from 5 to 16 days, offering travelers a wide selection of vacations to suit a variety of needs and schedules. Discussion of castles along the Rhine River, with a look at their upkeep. Rhine river cruises. With 20 cruise itineraries in our Rhine vacation portfolio, Avalon Waterways offers more ways to discover the Rhine River Valley, year-round, than any other river cruise line. The Rhine is Germany’s main economic artery. Downstream the Rhine flows swiftly between the Alpine foreland and the Black Forest region, its course interrupted by rapids, where—as at Laufenburg (Switzerland) and Säckingen and Schwörstadt (Germany)—barrages (dams) have been built. Historically the Electoral Palatinate and several other territories were part of the Palatinate, but today belong to other German territories. Koblenz’ Electoral Palace is one of the most significant palaces in French early Classicism style that you'll find in Germany. About 766 miles in length, with an average width of about 1,300 feet, the generally north-flowing waterway also is exceptionally swift and deep. The US Army's surprise capture of the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine River at Remagen, Germany, broke open Germany's defenses in the west. It might be full of historical buildings, but Düsseldorf Old Town is by no means sleepy – visit for a lively and vibrant atmosphere in the numerous bars. Unlike Heidelberg Castle, this palatial fortress has been carefully maintained and survived the last two centuries intact. The river sources … You have the option of getting off an any of … UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site thanks to its historical and cultural importance, as well as the different plants and wildlife that thrive in its fertile microclimate. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The Rhine River is one of the most important rivers in Europe, because it has become the most traveled waterway in the European Union. O ne of the world’s great rivers, the Rhine marks a storied stretch of winding waterway that spans 765 miles and six nations—Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France, and the Netherlands—from the Swiss Alps on to the North Sea. Petite France in Strasbourg’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town will transport you back in time to the Middle Ages. Keeping it flowing may require new boats, once-taboo locks, and even changing the current of the river itself. Until the 19th century the goods transported were of high value but relatively small in volume, but since the second half of the 19th century the volume of goods conveyed on the river has increased greatly. It flows from two small headways in the Alps of east-central Switzerland north and west to the North Sea, into which it drains through the Netherlands. ; Germany: Float through lush wine regions to the timeless town of Cologne. The river also has been enshrined in the literature of its lands, especially of Germany, as in the famous epic Nibelungenlied. Rhine River, German Rhein, French Rhin, Dutch Rijn, Celtic Renos, Latin Rhenus, river and waterway of western Europe, culturally and historically one of the great rivers of the continent and among the most important arteries of industrial transport in the world. Rudesheim Choo-Choo Train. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The Rhine River Valley in Germany with lots of Drone DJI mavic pro Travel Video + Lots of drone footage. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. In this 90-mile (145-km) stretch the Rhine has cut a deep and winding gorge between the steep, slate-covered slopes of the Hunsrück mountains to the west and the Taunus Mountains to the east. , such as the Lek and rhine river in german, farther downstream called the Merwede by the Rhine, is second... 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