As the Rhine leaves the mountains of Switzerland, it snakes across a vast plain carved out of the landscape by glaciers and cataclysmic primeval floods. This landscape forms the Upper Rhine basin, extending until the river cuts through the Middle-Rhine Gorge. This fertile valley formed the core of the medieval Holy Roman Empire. The river’s watershed connected trade routes from all directions and let the Emperor communicate with distant vassals. For travelers today, the Rhine valley allows us to experience the imperial majesty of a forgotten Empire. Soaring cathedrals, sweeping vineyards, and secluded mountain fortresses dot an ancient landscape. Though scarred by the tragedy of war, there is still much to see and experience in this region today.
