Saar loop at Mettlach

Aerial view of Saarschleife

4 Jul 2014 | From Martin of Germany

OFFICIAL POSTCROSSING

The Saarschleife or Saar loop (also Great Saar loop at Mettlach) is a transverse valley and is one of the most famous sights of the Saarland. The Saar is a river in northeastern France and western Germany, and a right tributary of the Moselle.

On the banks of the Saar is the UNESCO-World Heritage Site Völklinger Hütte. At Mettlach the Saar passes the well-known Saar loop. The lower Saar in Rhineland-Palatinate is a winegrowing region of some importance, producing mostly Riesling. Until the early 20th century, much more wine was grown on the banks of the Saar, reaching much further up from the mouth of the river, up to Saarbrücken. Only in the early 21st century have some enterprising farmers from the Saarland area started experimenting with winegrowing again.