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RHINE FALLS

July 30, 2016 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

Switzerland

The Rhine Falls are the largest waterfalls in Europe.  It is also one of the youngest of the world’s major waterfalls, having been formed less than twenty thousand years ago.  The falls are one of the great water features of Central Europe, and being close to the border with Germany, are considered an integral part of Germanic culture.  The falls are not a protected site, but development there has traditionally been difficult due to popular resistance.

Effectively marking the southern end of the traditional Rhineland, the area of the falls was inhabited for millennia first by Celtic peoples than by German peoples, with an interruption by the Roman Empire for several centuries.  The falls were held sacred by Germans in ancient and early medieval times, and figured into the Teutonic legends of the Rhine River.  Although used for industrial purposes for a time in the colonial era, residents who lived near the falls have fiercely defended the falls from development.

The Rhine Falls are fed by the High Rhine, and tumble in stages a total of about 75 feet. Erosion at the falls is minimal due to the extremely hard rock formations.  A large limestone rock known as the Rheinfallfelsen is the last remnant of an earlier river channel, and is considered an important geological marker in Germanic tradition.

The Rhine Falls, while not a vacation destination per se, receives large numbers of tourists, especially from Switzerland and Germany.  Visitors can see the falls on foot from viewing platforms, or from nearby Woth Castle.  Boating excursions can transport visitors right up to the falls for an up close experience.  Web: www.rheinfall.ch (official website).

Filed Under: Waterfall Tagged With: Austria/Switzerland

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About Howard Kramer

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is a culmination of years of his work and passion.

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Welcome to The Complete Pilgrim(TM)! This site, created by Howard Kramer, is a combination travel blog and online guide to the world's greatest sites of religious interest (with some historic and recreational places thrown in for good measure). All written content has been originally researched and produced and is provided free for public research and enjoyment. Thank you for visiting!

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Where would you like to go?

Africa (North) Africa (Sub-Sahara) Arabia Armenia/Azerbaijan/Georgia Australia/Pacific Austria/Switzerland Balkans Belgium/Netherlands British Isles Canada Caribbean Central Asia China Czech Republic Egypt France Germany Greece Hungary/Romania/Bulgaria India (NE)/Nepal India (NW) India (South)/Sri Lanka Iran/Iraq Israel Italy/Malta Japan/Korea Latin America Mexico Palestine Poland/Lithuania Russia Scandinavia Southeast Asia Spain/Portugal Syria/Jordan/Lebanon Turkey/Cyprus Ukraine US-California US-Mid Atlantic US-Midwest US-New England US-New York US-Pacific Northwest US-South US-Southwest

Contact Us

Have a comment, a great photo or a religious site you'd like to nominate for the weekly spotlight? We would love to hear from you. Email us at hkramer@thecompletepilgrim.com.

About the Author

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is the culmination of years of his work and passion.

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