At the beginning of the 19th century the Middle Rhine was a source of inspiration for a new generation of writers, painters, musicians, poets and thinkers. Raw, untamed nature in all its elemental strength and primitive glory – manifested in rugged cliffs, the majestic river, the steep hillsides, and crowned by ruins – became the aesthetic ideal of a whole era: it was the dawn of the Rheinromantik. They left »traces« behind them in their works – in the form of correspondence, travelogues, paintings, poems, legends and songs. Their creations inspired many people to tour the Middle Rhine Valley. The first significant tourist destination in Germany was born – the Middle Rhine Valley.
To this day, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley with its unique cultural and natural landscape is still an inexhaustible source of inspiration for artists and free thinkers. Tourists and residents alike appreciate its special atmosphere and outstanding recreational opportunities.
This landscape is like a poet’s dream, and even the most fertile imagination could not conjure up anything more beautiful than this valley, which first opens up, then closes, bursts into flower, then falls barren, laughs, then terrifies.
The Idea
»The William Turner Route«
The artist William Turner is considered to be one of the fathers of Rhine Romanticism. With his enormous oeuvre he influenced not only subsequent generations of artists and literary figures, but also played a decisive role in making the region famous all over the world. As a place of Sehnsucht and unspoilt nature, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley became Germany’s prime tourist destination. 200 years after Turner’s first journey to the Rhine, visitors can now experience his exact painting locations.
The cross-media concept behind the »William Turner Route« reclaims the artist’s works and the theme of Rhine Romanticism from the international museum environment and returns them to the real landscape. Selected sites between Koblenz and Bingen mark important waypoints on Turner’s journey through the valley. Walk-on info panels installed at these locations reveal the origins of the masterpiece that was created there. They invite you to pause for a moment and enter the artist’s world.
»Work in progress«
The ground installations of the William Turner Route will be gradually implemented on site over the next few years. The start in 2017 was at the locations 9, 10, 11 and 12 in the vicinity of St. Goar and St. Goarshausen. The Sites 13, 14, 15 and 17 with a view of the Loreley and Oberwesel followed in January 2020. In 2022, the locations 6, 7, 18 and 19 were added. Further progress will be reported accordingly. The entire repertoire of Turner's selected views on the Rhine can already be experienced digitally on the website.
The ground installations of the William Turner Route will be gradually implemented on site over the next few years. The start in 2017 was at the locations 9, 10, 11 and 12 in the vicinity of St. Goar and St. Goarshausen. The Sites 13, 14, 15 and 17 with a view of the Loreley and Oberwesel followed in January 2020. In 2022, the locations 6, 7, 18 and 19 were added. Further progress will be reported accordingly. The entire repertoire of Turner's selected views on the Rhine can already be experienced digitally on the website.
The cross-media concept behind the »William Turner Route« reclaims the theme of Rhine Romanticism from the international museum environment and puts it back in the real landscape. It is seen as an important contribution towards strengthening the cultural identity of the region as a whole.
Implementation
»Following in Turner’s footsteps«
Circular bronze plaques mark Turner’s exact »standpoint« 200 years ago and indicate the work which originated there. Turner captured the moment for himself in detailed sketches. The viewer, too, is invited to pause for a while to take in the fascination and special atmosphere of the landscape by the banks of the Rhine and – like Turner – to save the moment. Sunken footprints indicate the correct line of vision, corresponding to the view depicted in the painting. The observer is intuitively invited to take up the perspective of the artist and literally stand in his footsteps.
A QR-code with a direct link to the painting connects the viewer’s location to the website. This provides detailed information on the work and the location, as well as background facts related to the project. The digital material focuses on Turner’s visit to the Rhine in 1817 and offers viewers an interactive experience of his journey.
Follow in William Turner’s footsteps. This is now possible at some of his actual working locations. Bronze ground plaques mark Turner’s positions on his 1817 journey.
Initiators and partners
»Strong forces for a cultural agenda«
»A legend of bygone ages« – with its programme »Spuren der Rheinromantik« the Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage Association (Zweckverband Welterbe Oberes Mittelrheintal) is completely re-interpreting this legend. The romantic story of the Middle Rhine Valley is presented in contemporary style using famous public figures: in this case Joseph Mallord William Turner. In future, in addition to Turner, the influential works of other Rhine Romanticists will also be linked to places in the Middle Rhine Valley.
The inspiration for this programme came from the »Forum Ehrenamt« (»Volunteers Forum« – no longer active), whose project idea is now being implemented by the Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage Association. For the project’s content design, the Association has had the support of artist Dr. Armin Thommes. On a visual and conceptual level, the team at Designagentur SCHUMACHER has given the overall project a distinctive visual identity and filled the idea with life. »Rhine Romanticism« is at the core of the marketing activities of the Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH tourism agency and the theme is also explored in other areas of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage Site.
By linking the artist, the work and the place we enable the authentic and emotional communication of a moment in history and its continuing impact in today’s world.
Inititators
Zweckverband Welterbe Oberes Mittelrheintal
Der Zweckverband Welterbe Oberes Mittelrheintal ist der Zusammenschluss aller Gebietskörperschaften im Welterbe Oberes Mittelrheintal und für die kulturelle, ökonomische, soziale und ökologische Entwicklung des Mittelrheintals zuständig.
Die Romantische Rhein Tourismus GmbH ist eine von neun touristischen Regionalagenturen in Rheinland-Pfalz und vermarktet das romantische Rheintal zwischen Rüdesheim/Bingen und dem Rolandsbogen bei Remagen national wie international.
Das Kulturhaus Oberwesel beheimatet das Stadtmuseum Oberwesel, wo eine große Anzahl an Stadtansicheten aus der Zeit der Romantik gezeigt werden - so auch eine Kopie der berühmten Stadtansicht Turners (Standort 18).
Das Museum am Strom in Bingen vermittelt in seiner Dauerausstellung einen Einblick in die künstlerische Auseinandersetzung der Romantiker mit den Schönheiten der Rheinlandschaft bei Bingen und gibt in drei Erlebnisräumen Einblick in die Lebenswelt dieser Zeit.
Das Mittelrhein Museum zeigt in chronologischer Abfolge die Malerei des Mittelalters, des Barock, des Klassizismus sowie der Romantik, über die Vertreter der Düsseldorfer Schule bis hin zur Klassischen Moderne und Positionen zeitgenössischer Kunst in jeweils eigenenen Epochensälen.
Der Ostein'sche Park ist ein romantisches Gartenkunstwerk aus dem späten 18. Jahrhundert. Als Autodidakt der Landschaftskunst besaß der Reichsgraf einen fabelhaften Blick für die Potenziale der Natur.
Die Smartphone App „Impuls Romantik“ bietet einen umfassenden Einblick in die Romantik an Rhein und Main. Erschließen Sie sich die Region und ihre Vergangenheit aus dem Blickwinkel der Epochengefährten von Novalis, Friedrich Schlegel oder den Brentanos erfrischend neu.
SCHUMACHER Brand + Interaction Design mit Sitz in Darmstadt entwickelt klares Design für Menschen und Marken: inspirierend und mutig. Seit 2003 arbeitet dafür jeden Tag ein Team aus Kommunikationsdesignern, Web Developern, UX-Designern und Textern an zielgerichteten Lösungen.
The “William Turner Route” project is funded within the framework of the Rural Development Programme “Umweltmaßnahmen, Ländliche Entwicklung, Landwirtschaft, Ernährung” (EULLE) (“Environmental Measures, Rural Development, Agriculture, Nutrition”) by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the European Union and the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture.