The Rhine Museum is located right at the foot of the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. A museum for the main actor of the valley. The Rhine is a cosmos in itself. A whole world unfolds for visitors in the museum, which has been in existence since 1912. The museum focuses on shipping, ecology, Rhine romanticism, and tourism, as well as the history of the Rhine as a waterway. Maps and plans illustrate 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 vessels of today. The numerous models of historical watercraft are complemented by contemporary depictions or preserved originals, such as the large steam engine of a Rhine tugboat or a flood level measuring device. Additionally, visitors learn interesting facts about the diverse Rhine landscapes, the history of fishing, and life along the Rhine.