Ancient times / Antike
(ca. 50 BC to AD 500)
The Romans and Germanic peoples were already making use of the Rhine in ancient times. It served as a transportation and trade route, a fishing ground, and a natural border. At the same time, flooding was a constant threat.

Middle Ages / Mittelalter
(ca. 500 to 1500)
During the Middle Ages, the Rhine became increasingly important for trade and political power. Merchants used the river to connect cities and regions, while rulers collected tolls and granted fishing rights. The river brought people together, but flooding remained a constant threat.

Early industrialization / Frühindustrialisierung
(ca. 1815 to ca. 1850)
The first factories brought further changes to the Rhine. Ships now carried coal and new types of goods, while wastewater flowed into the river. Early efforts to straighten the Rhine increased the speed of the river’s flow and led to more frequent flooding.

High industrialization and the industrial age / Hochindustrialisierung und industrielles Zeitalter 
(ca. 1850 to ca. 1980)
As the volume of goods being transported grew, the Rhine became one of Europe’s most important waterways. Large industrial plants sprang up along its banks. Further straightening increased the speed of the river’s flow and put considerable strain on the natural environment.

River restoration / Renaturierung 
(since ca. 1990)
Since the 1990s, protecting the Rhine has become an increasing priority. River restoration projects give the river more room, reduce the risk of flooding, and improve habitats for plants and animals. The Rhine has also become increasingly important as a place for recreation.

The future (starting tomorrow)
The Rhine will continue to play an important economic role in the future. Ideally, this use will be both sustainable and beneficial. The goal is a healthy environment shared by people, animals, and plants. What ideas do you have for a sustainable future for the Rhine?