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| The Rhine Falls, Switzerland |
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| Gushing Waterfall |
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| Munot Castle, Schauffhasen |
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| Boatride on the river |
We traveled towards Northern Switzerland crossing the German border to see another natural wonder -- the Rhine Falls located near Schauffhasen. The distance from Black Forest is nearly 125 kms. This is the largest plain waterfall in Europe formed by the gradual erosion of hard chalk stone by the rushing speed of the Rhine river 15,000 years ago. This 150 meter-wide waterfall tumbles from a height of twenty meters at a speed of 23 meters per second. Such huge amount of rushing waters, one will not see anywhere else. One can witness a huge mass of foaming white flowing incessantly like an outburst of white round pearls pouring in quick succession without any break. Though the height is low, the rushing abundance of water enthralls us very much. We can get a close glimpse of the waterfalls by riding in a boat. There is an isolated steep rock in the riverbed like a floating island. Visitors can go up to the rock by boat and then climb the steps to reach the top of the rock and from the terrace can have a spectacular view of gushing water falling in a wide spout on to the riverbed.
As we sailed by boat, the distant view of black rocks with dense greenery all around in sharp contrast to the foaming expanse waters looked like a picture-perfect presentation of natural beauty. This city has many old historic monuments like the Fortress of Munnot built in 14th century and many medieval inns and guild houses belonging to the period of thirteenth century.
The famous 19th century painter, J.M.W.Turner often came here and made large paintings of this waterfall. Mary Shelley, wife of the famous Romantic Poet, P.B.Shelley, came here along with her son and described the beauty of these waterfalls in her diary.
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30th October Somaseshu Gutala
Great article, thank you for your return. Together with a friend, we are planning to visit the Rhine Falls on our next Swiss getaway. I can't wait to see the falls with my own eyes.
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