Switzerland is one of the most beautiful regions in Europe. This is a country of magnificent mountains and glaciers, bewitching nature, high culture and standard of living. It is difficult to describe in words all the beauty of Swiss nature, you just need to see it with your own eyes. Tourists from all over the world flock here to see its sights.
One of these interesting places is the Rhine Falls. It is considered the greatest lowland waterfall in terms of the amount of flowing water. These figures change depending on the time of year. In winter, the volume of water is not very large - 250 m3/sec, but in summer the unbridled elements are impressive: the water flow rushing down is almost 600 m3 /sec The threshold is 23 meters high and 150 meters wide. Everything created by nature delights, and the sight of a powerful game falling and breaking on the surface of the water is an impressive sight.
How the Rhine Falls formed
Before falling from a height of 23 meters, the Rhine overcomes many thresholds across its entire width, and it seems thathe frolics in front of the final obstacle, and then falls down between two rocks. Scientists believe that the Rhine Falls dates back to the Ice Age. Moving, blocks of ice destroyed mountains, changed the relief and riverbeds. The raging streams of the Rhine gradually eroded the ground, and today only two rocks remain in its central part. The Rhine Falls are 14 thousand years old. In the 19th century, two dams were built to ensure the operation of the metallurgical plant. There were plans to build a powerful hydroelectric power station, but due to public outrage, this project was not supported. The natural monument turned out to be more valuable. Now there is a small power plant that supplies energy to the entire tourist complex, and at nightfall, floodlights are turned on.
Location of natural monument
50 km from Zurich, in the vicinity of Neuhausen am Rheinfall, is the famous Rhine Falls. How to get there, everyone chooses for himself: by train or by car. If you take the train to Zurich, you can get to the Winterthur stop in an hour. And from there by train, almost to the waterfall. If you wish, you can rent a car to visit other interesting sightseeing routes.
If you visited Switzerland to see the main water attraction, you should definitely stay for a few days in the town of Schaffhausen. It is a beautiful city with old buildings, fountains, restaurants and shops.
Castles
Two castles rise above the waterfall - Laufen and Werth. Refurbished in the 19th centuryCastle Laufen is a stone building with a roof of multi-colored tiles, a coat of arms above the gate, and on its territory there is a museum dedicated to the Rhine Falls and Switzerland.
You can contemplate the beauty created by nature from several viewing platforms near Laufen Castle. To the upper platform rise on the elevator, then on the wooden footbridges. You can get to the second terrace by water on boats. It is located on top of a cliff in the very center of the waterfall. A winding staircase leads upstairs.
Impressive nature, demonstrating its beauty and indomitable strength. Water bubbles, growls like a wild beast. From an excursion to the waterfall you get a powerful boost of energy and a lot of the most vivid impressions. It's a real adrenaline rush to watch how the Rhine at first spreads calmly and suddenly on the descent begins to seethe, foam, breaks down with a deafening noise, bringing down tons of water from the cliff.
Below the waterfall is a railroad, opened in 1857. There are pedestrian platforms from which you can watch the water element from afar.
Tourist entertainment
There are souvenir shops near the pier. Several water excursions are offered for tourists. Prices - from 8 to 17 francs. For children, the cost is 50%, and babies under 6 years old travel for free. The trip lasts from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours (if you visit Laufen Castle).
Walking around the waterfall gives tourists the opportunity to relax in a cafe or restaurant located in the castle Laufen and Werth. Tasting dishes of national cuisine and at the same time watching the waterfall - what else do you need for a good time?! A photo of the Rhine Falls will complement the collection of memorable pictures. To diversify the rest at the foot of the waterfall, lovers of fishing can go fishing. There is a large selection of fish: eel, river perch, chub and others.
Light show
The most memorable sight in summer is fireworks. During the national holiday on July 31, a large number of tourists gather at the waterfall to watch a show called "Fire on the Rocks". All the actions of light fireworks with different effects are mesmerizing and reminiscent of a fairy tale with their beauty and magic. Castle Laufen is illuminated with blue light, which creates the mystery of what is happening.
Switzerland is the richest country in the world. It is famous for its amazing diversity of culture and nature.
Mountains, alpine meadows, famous lakes, the Rhine Falls. Switzerland is a picturesque place that will surprise even the most seasoned traveler.
