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
