Germany, some people say of whole Europe, and this since the Roman times. This gave the Mosel region lots of superlatives like Germanys oldest wine region, Germanys most popular tourism region or most beautiful region of a river north of the Mountain. Sure, each of these attributes is true, but they cannot explain completely the fascination of this 500 km long river. No, you cannot explain the Mosel region easily and its curves, forests and river valleys are inviting for discoveries. And it is worth: there are castles and monasteries, lots of romantic old framework houses and wine villages, lots of evidence of the great past.
Also clear-headed and learned geographers become enthusiastic when they report on the Mosel. They explain the Mosel region as one of the most alternative regions of middle Europe and it is as interesting as the Rhine region. They devide the Mosel (a little bit unromantic) into the parts Untermosel, the Trierer Talweitung, Mittelmosel and naturally Untermosel. But these are scientists and it should help us only for orientation on our trip on the small Maas (this is the meaning of the name MOSEL). Furtheron a few historical dates which show the importance of this cultural region. About 500 B.C. there were the Celtic population which founded a high culture and leaves us lots of proof. With Ceasar came the Romans and with them the beginning of the highest developed viticulture. After a 1000 year colonization came the Franconians and this was the time when the foundation of lots of monumental monasteries started. During the Middle Age, it was the time of the HOHENSTAUFEN, the region sees the construction of romantic castles and palaces. Art and culture is the center.The French occupation followed the 30 year war and as a result of that poverty and decline. The good development of the past and today started with its viticulture and the first tourism with steam navigation and railways.
Are you interested in special culture The Mosel represents the oldest cultural region of Europe, but in the same time for visitors the region is open for own ways and discoveries. Historians name this as the crucible of the nations. This is what you can find in a more than 2000 year old history of the river and its region. The bow bends from the Celtics and Romans to the Frankonians and later the French up to the Prussian age and the visible radical changes of the Industrial age and the possibilites of recovery of today. Due to its central geographic position this region was always exposed on cultural influences from the outside. The people who live on the river, the slopes and summits addapted their lifes to accommodate these influences. Due to this, a journey to the Mosel is extremely attractive. The mixture of old traditions on which you can see the ups and downs of 2 centuries and the ability to make the river and its bank to the basis of its own existence. This impressed the people living on the river. Not only in cultural centres like TRIER and KOBLENZ but also in small wine villages and in cities like BERKASTEL-KUES and SAARBURG. Also today you can find Roman division of areas and valid borders of districts. Names of villages have their roots in the Celtic age and you can find vestiges of this language in dialects of the region MOSELFRANKEN. The language in general: The technical terms of the wine-growers have their origin consisting almost completely of the Roman language.
This altogether offers the manifold basis for the culture and event-tourism of today which is offered by the Mosel region in various ways. This can be a cultural enjoyment with castles, palaces and festivals, a delight in wine and music but also an amuse in cycling on numerous cycle tracks and lots of possibilities to walk with fantastic sights on the MOSELHÖHENWEG.