Loreley

Lorelei, also spelled Loreley, is a prominent rock formation on the right bank of the Rhine in the Rhine Gorge, near the town of Sankt Goarshausen in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The rock rises about 132 meters above the river and is one of the best-known landmarks of the Middle Rhine Valley, a section of the Rhine that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Geography and geology: Lorelei is a sandstone outcrop that stands within the steep-walled Rhine Gorge, a landscape characterized by high cliffs, vineyards, and castle ruins along the river. The feature helps define the dramatic scenery that has drawn travelers for centuries.

Legend and name: In local folklore, a maiden sits on the rock, combing her hair and singing. Her enchanting song is said to lure sailors toward the cliffs, leading to shipwrecks. The name Lorelei (Lorelei/Loreley) has uncertain origins and has been linked to various local legends and linguistic forms. The modern association with the legend was popularized in literature, notably by Heinrich Heine in the 1830s with the poem Die Lorelei (published 1824 in later collections), which helped cement the tale in popular imagination.

Cultural significance and tourism: Lorelei is a major tourist destination in the Rhine region, with viewpoints along the river and surrounding trails offering views of the rock and the gorge. The Rhine Gorge, including the Lorelei area, is part of the broader cultural landscape of the Middle Rhine Valley and remains a symbol of the region’s literary and musical heritage.