Top 10 Outstanding Facts about UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley

Rhine Valley photo by Michael Clarke Wikimedia

Top 10 Outstanding Facts about UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley

Upper Middle Rhine valley which is a 65km stretch of the Middle Rhine Valley. It has been known as the Rhine Gorge, though its popular name is Upper Middle Rhine Valley. It has been added to the UNESCO list of world Heritage sites. The site has a combination of geological, historical, cultural and industrial reasons.

Here are the Top 10 outstanding facts about UNESCO world Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley

1.Upper Middle Rhine Valley has been considered the largest cultural world Heritage site in Germany

Rhine Valley Photo by Michael Clarke stuff Wikimedia

It covers a 65km stretch of the Rhine river from Koblenz to Bingen. Upper Middle Rhine Valley which was recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 2002. The site has features that are a combination of cultural, historical, geological and industrial significances.

2. The site receives more than 1000 tourist visit per year

The Rhine valley draws  more than 1000 tourists on an annual basis. The popularity of this region has a tourist destination  dates back to the 19th century. The tourists love visiting the site to marvel at the romantic  ambiance of the Rhine.

3. The Upper Middle Rhine Valley has its own Microclimate

It has a unique natural feature and formation. The unique climatic condition has been facilitating the survival of various species found within the region. Its slopes have been terraced for agriculture especially viticulture which has iid condition on south-facing the slopes.

4. The site has more has 40 castles and fortress from the Middle age and Wine-villages

Rhine valley near Bingen photo by McLeod Wikimedia

The Upper middle Rhine has the most outstanding castles that are the Marks burg. The only undamaged hilltop castle in the middle Rhine valley. The Burg Pfalzgrafenstein which is on a rocky island in the middle Rhine. And Rheinfels castle which has been developed into a fortress over time.

 While the Stolzenfels castle which is also known as Rhine Romanticism did not only encourage the acceptance of the existing castles but also encouraged the restoration and the building of even more castles. The Electoral place in Koblenz which was the last residence of the Electors of trier. It was demolished by French revolutionary army

Koblenz fortress has been the most powerful fortress in Rhineland-Palatinate. It was built in the 19th century by the Prussians. And the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress which was once part of the fortinfornication system. It has been dominating the Rhine valley up to date.

5. Visitors can Hike or Bike the Palatinate forest

The palatinate first which is a heavily wooded upland region has been located on the left bank of the Upper Rhine. It has covered an area of 1770 square kilometers.. It has been one of the largest expanses of forest in Germany and completely surrounds towns like Kaiserslautern and Pirmansens. The hills rise gradually from the Saar basin in the west and fall steeply down to the Rhine plain in the East, and have many highest peaks like the Kalmit at 673 meter. It has been crowned by the ruins of old castles.

The palatinate first has featured many excellent trails , making it a wonderful place to spend time hiking and biking. Also other popular outdoor activities  and adventures to enjoy include like camping, birdwatching and zip lining and rock climbing.

6. The Rhine River has been Considered as the second longest river in Central and Western Europe

Rhein River post photo by McLeod Wikimedia 

The Rhine which is one of the major European rivers. The river breaks through the Rhenish slate mountains, connecting the broad floodplain of the Oberrheingraben with the lowland basin of the lower Rhine. One of the best ways to experience and see the Rhine River is by boarding full day Rhine valley river cruise from Frankfurt.

It has been embarking in the beautiful city of Frankfurt. It is a fun cruise that whisk visitor by riverboat to historic Rudesheim and Lorely.

7. Upper Middle Rhine  Valley has many museums of Mainz

Mainz which  has been boasted by a rich and diverse heritage that dates all the way back to Roman times. It also has been the ideal location from which to explore the beautiful Germany.

Fascinating history has been recorded in the excellent museums like the Roman- Germanic Central Museum. It has been maintaining some of its most artifacts in the historic Electoral palace in Mainz.

The old cathedral city of Mainz that lies on the west bank of the Rhine opposite the mouth of the River Main. It has been located in the midst of many of the most important Rhine valleys.

Also the Museum of Ancient Seafaring  which has stunning full scale replicas of roman galleons. And the Gutenberg Museum which has fascinating displays depicting the life and times of the inventor of the movable metal type printing techniques, who was born 1398.

8. The Boppard’s Roman Legacy

Boppard photo by Romke Hoekstra Wikimedia 

Boppard has been a popular getaway destination for those whole to shop. It also offers a good selection of hotels for those  who wish to extend the stay. The Boppard has been a popular spot for a good meal. This has been Rhine’s importance to the Romans.

It has been more evident than the town of Boppard. The Romans had set up a fortress to guard the river 2000 years ago. The Roman fortifications can be seen in the Roman fort / Castrum that has been widely considered as one of the best preserved late- antiquity fortresses in Europe.

9. Explore the Bingen which has been right in the heart of the Rhine valley with sightseeing

 Bingen which is  a small pretty town with impressive architecture. The Klopp Castle has been  in the centre of the town which  was destroyed several times throughout the centuries. This was  before being restored in 1897. Unfortunately it was damaged again in WWII but further restored into what you can see today. You can climb the tower for views over the town.

Another notable building is the St Martin’s Basilica, which was built on the foundations of an old roman temple. This building was badly damaged in several wars, but was lovingly restored and today visitors can see it in its glory once again.

The Drusus Bridge is Germany’s oldest stone bridge and houses a small chapel, which, if you borrow the key from the tourist information center. The Mouse Tower which was  once a former signal tower and now a famous landmark, sits on a tiny island in the middle of the Rhine river. You can’t visit the tower, but can see it from the banks of the river.

10. The Timber house of Braubach in the Upper- Middle Rhine Valley

Rhine Valley photo by Michael Clarke Wikimedia

On the other side of the Rhine river and tucked right under the hillside is Braubach. It is a very small town, and much quieter than Koblenz, so you’ll only need a couple of hours here, but if you have a bit of extra time, it’s worth it.

This small town has been a place to admire the cute half timber houses and the Phillipsburg Palace. The Palace was built in 1568 as a home for a landgrave who felt that the Marks burg Castle, which sits above the Palace on the hillside, was too ‘uncomfortable’. The Palace now houses the archives and there’s also a restaurant in the courtyard here.