THE ENCHANTED RIVER

The Rhine is one of the longest rivers in Europe at 1320km (820 miles). It flows through France, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands & Luxembourg and has provided the main commercial channel through the heart of Europe for centuries. The river changes its personality many times during its long journey. The Upper Rhine, in Switzerland, is in a wide valley with lots of bends. This part of the river often changed its shape during the year during flood times and ships had to be towed or punted upriver. The Middle Rhine, through the heart of Germany, goes through the Schiefergebirge mountains in a canyon. In the 16th century this part of the Rhine was studded with large rocks and navigating through this part could be hazardous. The Lower Rhine, which runs from the German city of Cologne, through the Netherlands, to the North Sea, is flat and wide with many small islands. Sailing was possible, both up and downriver, as far as Cologne.


Map of the River Rhine

One of the most notable features of the Rhine is the large number of castles built, mostly, in the medieval period, that are situated along its length. Many of these castles have colourful legends associated with them. Drachenfels Castle, for example, is linked to the Germanic saga of Seigfried, who is said to have slain a dragon that lived in a cave near the castle, and bathed in its blood. The Counts of Drachenfels had a fire-breathing dragon on their coat of arms. There is a rather gruesome legend attached to the Mauseturm (or Mouse Tower) near Bingen. It is said that Archbishop Hatto 11, when staying at the castle in 970, was attacked by thousands of mice and subsequently died.
The other powerful legend associated with the Rhine River is that of the Lorelei Rock. The rock towers above the river, near St. Goar, and is said to be the spot where a siren called Lorelei lures sailors to their deaths with her hypnotic songs. The Lorelei is supposed to be the spirit of a maiden who, after being jilted by her lover, threw herself to her death from the mighty rock and was resurrected as a siren – taking her revenge upon the opposite sex forever. In reality, it probably has more to do with the fact that that particular stretch of the river has some very difficult currents and is prone to dense fog so, centuries ago, many sailors perished in bad weather. Also the wind whistles down the canyon and creates some peculiar sounds which could be mistaken for supernatural singing.