For centuries, Rhine boatmen had to contend with a treacherous rocky reef at Bingen, which stretched right across the river. It was not until the 17th century that a seven-metre-wide opening was made in the unnavigable bulwark: the Binger Loch. At first it was nothing more than that, but at least barges could now pass through - if they dared, as the chronicles continued to report dramatic shipwrecks. It was only with the advent of the industrial age and new technical possibilities that the "Loch" could be widened, first to 23 metres wide in 1832 and then to 30 metres in 1894. However, it was not until 1966 that the entire reef - 60,000 cubic metres of rock - was removed. In 1974, the route, which has since been widened to 120 metres, was opened. The horror came to an end, but the name has remained.
Christian Tiedt
Editor Travel
Christian Tiedt was born in Hamburg in 1975, but grew up in the northern suburbs of the city - except for numerous visits to the harbor, North Sea and Baltic Sea, but without direct access to water sports for a long time. His first adventures then took place on dry land: With the classics from Chichester, Slocum and Co. After completing his vocational training, his studies finally gave him the opportunity (in terms of time) to get active on the water - and to obtain the relevant licenses. First with cruising and then, when he joined BOOTE in 2004, with motorboats of all kinds. In the meantime, Christian has been able to get to know almost all of Europe (and some more distant destinations) on his own keel and prefers to share his adventures and experiences as head of the travel department for YACHT and BOOTE in cruise reports.
