Cultural treasures

The Upper Rhine region is characterised by an eventful history. For a long time, the Upper Rhine was a historical border between the major European powers, which secured themselves against each other with numerous and important fortifications until the end of the Cold War. The famous fortress builder Vauban (1633-1707) left his mark, as did Napoleon, the Hohenzollerns and the Wittelsbachs. Fortified towns and citadels, fortified palaces and castles, fortified sacred buildings and lines of defence tell of European history, of empires and dynasties. Some fortresses are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The fortress heritage

The work of the Cistercians has also left its mark to this day. The Cistercians helped to open up the natural and cultural landscape along the Upper Rhine and make it arable. Maulbronn Monastery is considered to be the best-preserved medieval monastery complex north of the Alps and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cistercians heritage