Falls of the Rhine, Schaffhausen/Zurich Canton border. March 1993
The falls of the Rhine in Switzerland effectively block the river from any further boat traffic up to Lake Constance. The falls are substantial and are a tourist site in their own right. There is a castle overlooking them and they are in Switzerland, darling country of Europe. However, as mentioned in other posts, Rheinfall in German is synonymous with high expectations not being met. I do praise German speakers for their accuracy. The only other similar place that comes close to high expectation vs. less-than-exciting reality for me are the Great Falls of the Potomac (the Rheinfall is actually better). Great Falls, Maryland and Virginia are a lovely stretch of the Potomac, but they are not really "falls" and they certainly are not "great" (scenic, for sure).
Mary Shelley of Frankenstein fame on the Rheinfall:
In 1840, author Mary Shelley visited the Falls while on a tour of Europe with her son. She described her visit in a travel narrative that she published in 1844, Rambles in Germany and Italy. She says: "A portion of the cataract arches over the lowest platform, and the spray fell thickly on us, as standing on it and looking up, we saw wave, and rock, and cloud, and the clear heavens through its glittering ever-moving veil. This was a new sight, exceeding anything I had ever before seen; however, not to be wet through, I was obliged quickly to tear myself away."
Eduard Mörike, German poet and pastor composed:
Hold your heart, oh traveler, tightly in mighty hands!
Mine nearly collapsed, shivering with pleasure.
Restlessly thundering masses thrown upon thundering masses,
Ear and eye, whither can they save themselves in such an uproar.
(Wikipedia)
Really Mary, you WERE a good writer and Eduard, such a flair for the dramatic! Considering all the things I have seen in Europe, the Rheinfall is not even in the top 100.
I took a few photos and we continued to Schaffhausen [see: Schaffhausen]
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