Certainly yes, but did you know that the highest cold-water geyser is in Europe? Until recently, I had no idea!
Near Bonn (approx. 70 km south), right on the banks of the Rhine, not far from the charming town of Andernach, there is a geyser entered in the Guinness Book of Records, which spouts water up to a height of 60 meters! Amazed?
The history of this place is a bit complicated, albeit interesting.
At the beginning of the 20th century, on the peninsula near Andernach, rising gas bubbles on the surface of the waters of oxbow lake were observed.
Then a couple of years later, drilling starts. The borehole was supposed to open up carbonic acid deposits for the production of carbon dioxide for mineral water. But it also resulted in a 40-meter high water fountain.
A year later, the production of carbon dioxide and mineral water began.
For years the high fountain was a landmark of Namedyer Werth, but it came to an end in 1957 when the plant was closed down because of the well damage and other issues. Ten years later, due to the extension of a new highway, the borehole was closed with a valve.
The reactivation of the Geyser happened around 2001, but first in 2008 made entry into the Guinness Book of Records as the highest cold-water Geyser in the world. A year later, the Geyser center opens, and the 3-part Geyser Andernach attraction is completed.
A cold-water geyser is formed when cold groundwater dissolves large amounts of carbon dioxide (released through fissures from the Earth’s upper mantle) and effectively “charges” the water (much like a soda bottle). This charged groundwater then erupts from the drilled well, at more or less regular intervals. The driving force behind the expulsion of water is bubbling carbon dioxide. More about how the cold water geyser work.
The Geyser is one of the 15 masterpieces between the Rhine and Moselle. It is a popular tourist attraction in the southern Eifel region and is definitely worth visiting.
The Geyser Centrum
It is a 3-part attraction and the adventure begins in the Geyser Centrum with a ride to the underground, wherein, in an instant, you will move 4,000 meters deep into the ground. Of course, virtually. Here you will learn more about the geyser and its volcanic origin.
After the hunger for knowledge is satisfied, you can take a cup of coffee or grab an ice cream at the cafeteria.
The boat trip
When you are ready, take a short walk to the river bank where the boat awaits you.
In few minutes you will be cruising on the most famous river in Germany. The trip is short (around 15 min.), but the landscapes of the middle Rhine valley will amaze you. Enjoy it!
There it is!
Well, 15 minutes are up, and the boat was moored to the shore of the peninsula. Is time to step out and take a walk. About a 250 m walk between bushes and trees is ahead of you.
When you get through the woods, a small white chapel will appear before you. You are very close now. I stop here. Let the rest be a kind of mystery for you to discover or if you can’t wait, take a pick.
On the way back, make sure to be among the first on the boat. Take a glass of good local wine, lean back, and enjoy the view on the way back.
What to do next?
Well, the trip is over, and there is still time for more. Andernach is a wonderful city where you can spend a few hours sightseeing, shopping or staying for dinner. There is also something interesting to discover on the other side of the river.
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