The romantic beauty of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley has inspired many writers, artists and composers. Dramatic cliffs overlook the meandering river below; idyllic small towns with cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and Gothic churches appear around each river bend; hill top castles surrounded by terraced vineyards invite you for a glimpse into history and medieval architecture. The whole area was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 2002 for the unique combination of geological, historical, cultural and industrial reasons.
