A museum for the valley's main protagonist. The Rhine is a cosmos in itself. A whole world that opens up to the visitor in the museum, which has been in existence since 1912. The museum focuses on navigation, ecology, Rhine romance and tourism as well as on the history of the Rhine as a waterway. Maps and plans explain the development of the Rhine from a natural stream to a modern major shipping route. The means of transport on the Rhine range from dugout canoes and market ships (since the 16th century) to the motor ships of today. The numerous models of historical watercraft are complemented by contemporary representations or preserved originals, such as the large steam engine of a Rhine tugboat or a high-water level gauge. In addition, visitors learn interesting facts about the diverse Rhine landscapes, the history of fishing and life on the Rhine.