From Basel the Rhine forms the border between Switzerland and Germany. The border line lies in the middle of the River.
Worth seeing and knowing
| Km 9.5 | Schwaderloch. That the area was already inhabited in Columbanus’s time is confirmed in an engraved stone inscription which states that during the reign of Emperor Valentinian (364-375 AD) Roman fortresses already existed there to protect inhabitants from attack by the Alemanni. This stone was discovered during the building of a railway line. Some of the ruins can still be seen today. |
| Km 12.5 | Leibstadt-Bernau. There are two sights here worth seeing: the Loreto Chapel and the Rettich House.
The Loreto Chapel was built in the middle of the 17th Century and for many years was subsequently the burial ground of the industrialist family Von Roll. |
| Km 14.5 | You can’t miss the cloud of vapour rising over the Leibstadt Nuclear Power Station, which is open to visitors. One sixth of the whole of Switzerland’s energy requirements is produced here.
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| Km 16.5 | In Full a ferry boat used to link both banks of the Rhine. After the Roman retreat in 400 AD the Alemanni took over control and had settled here by the time Columbanus passed by.
It’s also worth mentioning here the Full Military Museum (right on the way) and the Reuentahl Fortress Museum (needs a little ascent from Full to Reuenthal. From there there is a direct route to Koblenz). Reuenthal’s roots lie with the Helvetians who took possession of this area in 500 BC. Except for a short interval from 259 -277 AD, when the Alemanni lived here, the Romans occupied the area from 58 BC until around 400 AD. The Alemanni ruled the area again after the Romans retreated back over the Alps. |
| Km 20 | Crossing over the River Aare on the historical railway bridge between Ziegelhütte and Giriz offers an especially interesting experience. While we really want to experience this, we stay on the right and follow the Aare as far as the bridge. There we cross over the Aare and reach Koblenz. A short but interesting detour. Koblenz, Rhein Island |
| Km 22.5 | Koblenz, the town of four bridges where the Rhine and the Aare meet, is our goal for today. This region has been inhabited since Roman times. A short distance to the east of Koblenz the surviving foundations of a Roman watch tower from the year 371 AD can be seen.
The Island Judenäule, located in the Rhine, used to be the only permitted burial location for Jews in Switzerland and the only place of refuge for them during their many persecutions. The Island was regularly flooded when the river was in high flow.
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