Switzerland is One Part Fairy Tale, One Part Inspiration for Artists

The Rhine River, originating in the Swiss Alps, flows through Germany and the Netherlands, emptying into the North Sea. Along the way, you’ll find Rhine Falls. Located on the boarder of Schaffhausen and Zürich, it is the largest waterfall in all of Europe.

In the photo below you can see two separate falls, divided by a rock formation. There is a boat you can take to that formation and climb the stairs to see the waterfall from above. 

These famous falls, formed in the Last Ice Age, have been the inspiration for many artists.

A poem by Eduard Mörike written about the waterfall:

Hold your heart, oh traveller, 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?

Take a look at these stunning paintings by J. M. W. Turner of Rhine Falls.

Even Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein, was inspirited to put her pen to paper with her reflections on seeing such a spectacle:

“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.”