A magical place and a legendary figure. The Loreley, a steep, slate rock that towers 132 meters above the Rhine River, is a popular tourist attraction and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. From the top of the cliff, there's a wonderful view of the river valley and an old castle. Down below is one of the narrowest and deepest parts of the Rhine. In the past, ships often had accidents there. The narrow bend and strong current make the stretch particularly difficult to navigate. Or does the notorious water spirit Loreley weave her spell here? With her long blonde locks and marvelous songs, she is said to have confused sailors. The mysterious figure inspired artists throughout the centuries. Heinrich Heine, for example, dedicated a poem to her that is still popular today.

The Loreley Rock is located in the center of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. Along the 67-kilometer section of the Rhine River between Koblenz in the north and Rüdesheim/Bingen in the south are numerous castles and fortresses. The impressive historic buildings were created because the Upper Middle Rhine Valley was an important crossroads between the Mediterranean and northern Europe. However, the central location also has its downsides. As part of Europe's north-south rail connection, many freight trains pass through the valley every day, so traffic noise is currently a major problem for residents.