The Main River (pronounced like “mine” in English) originates in Upper Franconia where the White and Red Main rivers unite near Kulmbach. Major tributaries of the Main are the Regnitz, the Fränkische Saale, the Tauber and the Nidda.
The Main is about 330 miles long, 240 miles of which are navigable, between Bamberg and Mainz. It flows in a westerly direction through the German states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Hesse. The Main runs through cities such as Frankfurt, Offenbach, Wertheim and Würzberg.
The Brothers Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm, linguists best known for collecting local folk tales like Snow White, Rapunzel, Cinderella and Hansel and Gretel in the early years of the 19th century, were born and raised in the idyllic countryside in this area.
Main-Danube Canal – Throughout history, mankind has tried to alter the course of Europe’s major rivers. Twelve hundred years ago, Charlemagne dreamed of connecting the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers into one watercourse between the North Sea and Black Sea. In 1992, this dream was realized with the opening of the Main-Danube Canal. This 106-mile-long canal created a 2,200-mile-long waterway which passes through 15 countries and unites hundreds of inland ports.