Koblenz & Cochem, Germany
Koblenz, situated on the rivers Rhine and Mosel, is overlooked by peaceful Fort Ehrenbreitstein. Just down the Mosel lies Majestic Reichsburg Cochem Castle
The city of Koblenz sits at the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel rivers. The name originates from the latin word confluentes but the joining point is now referred to as the German corner and at the tip is a statue of Emperor William I, mounted on his horse. William I was King of Germany (then known as Prussia), from 1861 to 1871 making him the first head of state of a united Germany.
Koblenz is a beautiful city and I could easily spend a few days in and around this area. We crammed a lot into the one day we had but would definitely like to go back and just experience it all a little slower. I have many fabulous photos from my trip but one of my favourites was taken at the base of the statue. This photo with the German accordionist in the foreground and the cable cars and fort in the background. This is Germany!
We took a tour of Koblenz and had a chance to admire the Basilica of St. Castor, the oldest church in Koblenz, dating back to the year 836. Most of the building that now stands in this spot is from the mid 12th century. The church was a meeting place for many Emperors and Kings and is stunning both inside and out.
After a mad dash around town, we jumped on the cable cars to get a quick tour of Fort Ehrenbreitstein. The cable car takes you across the Rhine where you get amazing views of both the city and the fort.
The fortress was built in the 1800’s, to protect the middle Rhine from the French, however, this fort was never actually attacked. It is now a Unesco World Heritage Site. It was interesting walking around the fort but the views were phenomenal. Click on the photos to expand.
As much as I would have loved to spend more time in Koblenz and at the Fort, I was excited to head to Cochem Castle. As a child growing up in England, I didn’t appreciate the beauty and majesty of castles and now, living in North America, we just don’t get the opportunity to visit castles. Castles fascinate me knowing that they were built in a time I cannot even conceive existed, and amazed at how well constructed and how intricate these structures are. It’s hard to imagine the castle grounds filled with horses and armoured men, provisioned with nothing but swords and a strong faith that they would win.
We took a pretty drive along the Mosel admiring the many vineyards on the hills and as we pulled into Cochem, we saw the Castle dominated the landscape up on the hill.
Cochem is an adorable, traditional European town with picturesque streets and medieval, colourful buildings. The bright red umbrellas of the outdoor cafes just add to the beautiful scene and seeing more authentic musicians on the street fill me with happiness. I could sit and soak in the culture for hours but we have a castle to explore.
Picturesque Cochem
Cochem Castle
The views from Cochem Castle are stunning and this statue has the best view. Although it may look like Kermit the Frog, it is actually a Lion in armour with the visor down as you can see by looking at the arms.
Cochem Castle was originally built in the 12th century but was destroyed by French King Louis XIV in 1689. It sat in ruins for almost 200 years when in 1868, a rich businessman, Louis Ravené, had the castle rebuilt in neo-gothic style, to be used as a summer residence. Some of the original Romanesque elements remained, such as the witches tower, known as such due to women being tried for witchcraft by being thrown out the window.
Unfortunately, King Ravené did not get to complete the castle but his son finally completed it in 1890 and filled it with art. Most of this was lost in the Second World War. In 1942, the Ravené family were forced to sell the castle to the Nazis who turned it into a law school. After the war, the castle became the property of the new state of Rhineland-Pfalz but was purchased by the city of Cochem in 1978 and is now a huge tourist attraction withoutstanding views.
There is a lot of history to this castle and a great site to learn more is the german-way website. You can access this here if you would like to read more.
Reichsburg Cochem Castle is beautiful inside and out and really is best if you can visit in person but the best way for me to explain is to do so with pictures. These do not do it justice but hopefully you will get a sense of how majestic this place is.
The day we spent in Cochem and Koblenz had to be one of my favourites. When I think of Europe this is what I imagine. Old cobblestone roads, small authentic shops, sidewalk bistros, ancient churches, old forts, and majestic castles with magnificent views. I absolutely recommend coming for a visit, whether that be by boat or car. You will have an amazing day, and be totally immersed in German culture.
