Have you ever felt the Rhine wind whisper secrets through the trees? Welcome to the Rettbergsaue a natural island in the heart of the Rhine River. This isn’t just any island. It’s a place where history and nature intertwine.
Rettbergsaue or “Rettberg Island” in English sits between the main Rhine channel and a smaller one called the Wachsbleicharm. This smaller channel forms the border between Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. Imagine two separate islands once existed here the Biebricher Wörth and the Schiersteiner Wörth. They merged in the mid-1800s after port construction. Evidence shows human activity possibly dating back to Roman times.
The island’s name comes from Baron Carl von Rettberg. This Nassau lieutenant bought it for around 1125 guilders in 1832. He planned a cattle and horse breeding business. It didn’t last. He sold it back to Nassau a few years later for a much larger sum 50000 guilders.
For a while the western end boasted Schierstein Beach. Biebrich Beach appeared on the northern shore later. Pollution forced their closure in 1962. Today these areas are recreation grounds. Families enjoy playgrounds barbecue areas and even table tennis. There is a café and space for other games like volleyball and badminton. Rettbergsaue is popular for camping. The beaches are sometimes used for swimming. No cars are allowed. Dogs are banned. It is perfect for families.
About 90 percent of the island is a nature reserve. It’s vital for the area. It acts as a natural filter and climate buffer. The reserve protects many habitats. This includes various forests meadows and shoreline areas. Native species face threats from invasive plants like horse chestnuts and over-grazing.
The reserve aims to protect existing forests. They also plan to replace poplar plantations with native trees. Promoting disease-resistant elms is a priority. Birdlife is abundant. Species like the grey heron and the black kite call the island home.
Access is mainly by ferry the Tamara. It connects the island’s recreation areas to the ports of Schierstein and Biebrich. This ferry trip alone makes a visit special. The Rettbergsaue offers a unique blend of history recreation and unspoiled nature. It’s a real gem in the middle of the Rhine. A place of quiet beauty and abundant wildlife. A place well worth exploring.