Hi Hive Friends,

I hope you are well and you had great christmas holidays. Today I would like to introduce you to another place in Koblenz. More precisely, I would like to show you today the Loreley Rock. It is located in the Middle Rhine Valley. This stretches from Bingen to Koblenz. The region is characterized by the Rhine, of course, but also the slate mountains and viticulture. For me, after my visit, it was clear that it is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Germany.

Loreley Rock View Point

Viewpoint on the Loreley Rock: A great view over the Rhine Valley

The Loreley Rock can be viewed very well from the left Rhine district of St. Goar. There is the viewpoint "An der Loreley". Since we have already passed by the Loreley with a ship, and so the Loreley with its rock could see frontally, we have decided against this viewpoint (which abre certainly recommendable). Instead, our goal was the Loreley rock lookout, so to climb directly on the rock itself.

There are also the viewpoints Maria-Ruh near Urbar or you do as we did and look at the Loreley while passing it on a ship on the Rhine. But what I can certainly recommend to you is the viewpoint on the rock itself, because from here you have a great view into the Rhine Valley (first picture).

Slopes with vines

The Loreley Rock near St. Goarshausen is a full 113 meters wide and 132 meters high. The slate rock is 4 million years old. The slopes around the rock are very steep, some of them are covered with vines. At the Loreley, the Rhine, otherwise relatively wide, becomes very narrow here. It is then less than half as wide as usual: 130 meters. Especially for larger ships it is then a feat to cross the passage. Not only is it so narrow here, but the Rhine is also known to be very dangerous, especially the rocks and sandbanks in the Rhine.

This is how the name Loreley came up

We have to split the name Loreley a bit;). The name “Ley” stands for rocks. If you search, you will find this name quite often in the region of the Middle Rhine. The first part, “Lore”, is a term for shouting and screaming, so it is assumed.
What sounds a bit strange at first probably has a simple background: in the days of railway construction, railway workers had to call when a train approached and the track workers had to leave the tracks.
Others say that the name is due to the noise of the rapids and the humming of the multiple echoes in the narrow valley where the river is greatly reduced. Because here the river flows much faster because of its shorter width.

The legend of the Loreley

Most of you probably know the story of the Loreley. It’s a story of a beguiling, dangerous virgin. She’s world famous. It is also because of this history that the Rhine Valley is so famous and the rock is one of the most important landmarks of Germany. Legend has it that she sits on the rock singing and combing hair and destroys the sailors on the river. Do you believe in the legend? I thinks its at least interesting.

Viticulture at the Loreley Rock

Are you interested in wine ? Then you’ve come to the right place. The region is well known for its viticulture. Vines wind themselves around the rock. In fact, the history of viticulture in the Middle Rhine goes back very far in history. The Romans had a strong influence here. These came in the 1st century. B. C. via the Moselle into the northern left-hand area of the Middle Rhine. But not only these had a lasting influence on viticulture, but also the Franconian nobility of Meroving and the clergy in the Cistercian monasteries.

Even a wine brotherhood was founded in Oberwesel in the 13th century. The first documentary mention of a Riesling dates back to the 15th century. Already at that time the Loreley was considered a Count’s vineyard. Burg Rheinfels, in the immediate vicinity, has the largest wine cellar in Germany.
The Middle Rhine wine-growing region has mostly steep slopes (73 percent) as vineyard area. The Riesling can grow perfectly here on the slope. Because he loves cool regions. It is hardy and frost resistant, so it has ideal conditions. While the location is very important for the Riesling, the soil is more of a minor matter. Ideal is the Loreley: Stony steep slopes in river valleys.

The Loreley Rock

How did you like the view from the rock? And from which point would you like to see the rock? What do you think of the myth? Feel free to write your feedback in the comments. See you next time!