The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is characterised by many small towns and villages, churches, castles and fortresses. The region has been inhabited since prehistoric times and became an important shipping transport route. In the Middle Ages the power on the region was fragmented and around forty castles and fortresses were constructed, for the defense as well as for the collection of toll duties on the trading route. The region had an important viticulture as well with the town of Bacharach as most important marketplace of the wine trade.