Sights of Switzerland: The Rhine Falls

As you know, Switzerland is famous not only for its ski resorts, cheese and chocolate. On the territory of this country is one of the most picturesque waterfalls of the planet - the Rhine Falls, whose height reaches 23 meters. It is stunning with its beauty and grandeur and is the biggest waterfall in Europe.

It is best to observe the full power of this miracle of nature in the spring, when the pond is filled with meltwater coming down from the mountains - they uncontrollably flow wildly downward.

This unique phenomenon of nature is located in the Swiss canton of Schaffhausen, adjacent to the German border, therefore it has the German name Rheinfall (Rheinfall). On the map of Europe, the Rhine Falls appeared a very long time ago. Its occurrence is due to geological processes, which began in the glacial period. The landscape of the canton of Schaffhausen also formed glaciers. The history of Europe has several glacial periods, and the last melting of ice caused a shift in the channel of the majestic Rhine, and now the path of this waterway runs along a solid base consisting of calcareous rocks of the Jurassic period. The river Rhine, undermining the base, gradually broke the pliable gravel, and even hard limestone - thanks to these changes, the Rhine Falls and acquired its present appearance.

In the heart of this beautiful water stream are the majestic cliffs that appeared as a result of the constant erosion of the once powerful rocky banks of the river by water.

The Rainfall waterfall is an exciting and unique sight! Its width exceeds 150 meters, and with the melting of the ice, the frenzied Rhine sheds from its steep cliffs a mighty stream, the speed of which is 700 liters per second. But the Rhine waterfall looks no less majestic and threatening, and in winter time - the water velocity in this period is 250 liters per second.

To admire this miracle of Swiss nature can be from a fairly close distance - on a steep rock, right in the center of the waterfall, is an observation deck. Tourists are delivered there on flat-bottomed boats. You can also climb from the foot of the waterfall to its very top by a special ladder.

In the canton of Schaffhausen, the local attraction is not only the Rhine Falls - Switzerland, as is known, is famous for its ancient buildings, and in this area there are at once two beautiful medieval castles. One of them is located below the current of the waterfall - it is called Wörth. On the opposite bank of the Rhine is the picturesque castle Schlossse Laufen.

In summer, extreme tourists like to take boat trips along the rushing river at the foot of the waterfall. A great popularity is also enjoyed by the ascent to the Central cliff, located upstream. Struggling with a strong current is very difficult, and certain skills are needed, but there is no deficit in people wishing to measure their strength with nature.

Fairytale country Switzerland - it's the Rhine waterfalls, pristine nature, charming mists, the richest history is a lot of unforgettable impressions for life!