Reichenbach Falls

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Reichenbach Falls

The Reichenbach Falls (Reichenbachfall) in Meiringen, Switzerland, have a total drop of 250 m (656 ft). At 90 m (300 ft) the Upper Reichenbach Falls is one of the highest cataracts in the Alps. This is where Sherlock Holmes apparently dies at the end of "The Adventure of the Final Problem". Supposedly the town is also the birthplace of meringue — the delicate pastry made of powdered sugar and the whites of eggs whipped up.

Out of the many waterfalls in the Bernese Oberland, the Reichenbach Falls seem to have made the greatest impression on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of the Sherlock Holmes stories.

So impressed was Conan Doyle that he decided to let his hero die there. A memorial plate at the funicular station commemorates the man who was probably the most famous detective in the world. The actual ledge from which Moriarty and Holmes apparently fall is on the other side of the falls; it is accessible by climbing the path to the top of the falls, crossing the bridge and following the trail down the hill. The ledge is marked by a plaque written in English, German and French; the English inscription reads: "At this fearful place, Sherlock Holmes vanquished Professor Moriarty, on 4 May 1891."

The mighty waterfalls, tumbling down over the rock face in several cascades in a beautiful scenery, make a trip to the Reichenbach falls a worthwhile experience. Those seeking further information can obtain it in the old chapel in Meiringen, which houses the Sherlock Holmes Museum.

Conan Doyle felt that the Sherlock Holmes stories were distracting him from more worthwhile literary efforts, and that killing Holmes off was the only way of getting his career back on track. "I must save my mind for better things", he wrote to his mother, "even if it means I must bury my pocketbook with him."

Sir Arthur was unable to keep the former resolve, perhaps because he was unable to keep the latter, and in due course brought Holmes back to life, in "The Adventure of the Empty House".

Aside: Mary Shelley's Victor Frankenstein is followed by the 'monster' on a similar route. This association is detailed in Samuel Rosenberg's book Naked is the Best Disguise.