Koblenz, Germany — Sightseeing Highlights

Koblenz celebrated its 2000 year history in 1992 – – it is an old fortified city bordered at two of its sides (seeing its former original triangle shape) by Rhine and Moselle rivers. Directly where Rhine River meets the Moselle River is one of its major attractions or landmarks located, the so-called German Corner (Deutsches Eck). On top of the hill at the Rhine shore the old fortress Ehrenbreitstein overlooks Koblenz and the German Corner.

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Sightseeing Highlights Koblenz

German Corner (Deutsches Eck)

The Teutonic knights can be thanked for naming this place where the two rivers, the Rhine and Moselle, meet. After contributing to the unity of Germany after 3 wars, Kaiser Wilhelm I is enthroned on his steed.

Fortress (Festung) Ehrenbreitstein

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The fortress is the largest preserved fortress in Europe. It was built between 1817 and 1828. 118 metres above the Rhine, there is a fantastic view over Koblenz.

More in our article: Fortress Ehrenbreitstein

Koblenz Palace (Kurfürstliches Schloß Koblenz)

The elector Clemens Wenzeslaus ordered the Koblenz palace to be built between 1777 and 1786 in French neo-classical style. His wife Augusta designed the beautiful Rhine Gardens.

Deutschherrenhaus

From the former buildings of the Teutonic Order of Knights, only the former administrative building, the Deutschherrenhaus, remains. Nowadays it houses the Ludwig Museum (see Museums further below) in a romantic flower garden.

Deutscher Kaiser

This „residential tower” was built in the 16th century and was the only old town building to survive the 2nd world war practically unscathed. Nowadays it is home to a tavern.

Schängelbrunnen

The Schängel Fountain is in the grounds of the present town hall in the old town. The mascot of Koblenz, the „Kowelenzer Schängel“, a rascal who is always up to mischief, sits on top.

Görresplatz

This square has had many names: “Large Square”, „Parade Square” and “Place Verte”. In 1946 it was named after the Koblenz publicist and author, Joseph Görres.

Florinsmarkt

The jury house with its alcoves on the Moselle side makes a visit to Florin’s Market a must. Visit also the old “shop and dance house” where the Central Rhine Museum (Mittelrheinmuseum) is located.

Jesuitenplatz

At the start of the 17th century, the Jesuits erected the house of prayer called the “Jesuit Church” on the old town square. A memorial to Johannes Müller was erected in the middle in 1899.

Der “Plan”

It has been used as a market square and a place for tournaments and events.

UNESCO world heritage site – Upper Middle Rhine Valley

A 65 km stretch of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley between Koblenz and Bingen, Rüdesheim, was recognized by UNESCO in 2002 as a world heritage site. About 40 castles, palaces, and mansions line the Rhine river flowing through the often narrow gorge of the slate hills. This scenery had inspired painters, poets, philosophers, and musicians of all times. The exceptional thing is the number of castles, mansions and fortresses: around 40 of these constructions between Koblenz and Bingen prove the strategic importance which the Rhine had in the early centuries.

Wine Village

The Weindorf (Wine Village) with its timber-framed houses is a visitor attraction of itself – it invites to spend a couple of very relaxed hours, which you probably spend having a glass of wine or two and eating regional food specialties. It consists of the Nahehaus, a little chapel, the brewer’s house, and the Moselle house. Wine Viallge was built on the occasion of the 1925 wine exhibition “German Wine”. The buildings shall represent the different and region-typical wine grower’s premises from the German wine growing regions. Destroyed during WWII it was rebuilt in 1951.

Wine Village website: http://weindorf-koblenz.de/cmx/

TripAdvisor’s reviews for Wine Village: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187391-d1933462-r310551900-Weindorf_Koblenz-Koblenz_Rhineland_Palatinate.html

Stolzenfels Castle

A fortress built in the 13th century. End of the 17th century the French destroyed it during the ‘Nine Years’ War. Stolzenfels Castle was rebuilt in the 19th century and showcases neo-Gothic architecture of its best. Guided tours are available but because of ongoing restoration work it is a good idea to check their website: http://www.schloss-stolzenfels.de/

More buildings and places of importance in Koblenz you might want to visit

• Four Towers(Vier Türme)
• Kaiserin-Augusta-Anlagen: A green oasis located south of Koblenz Palace (Kurfürstliches Schloss)
• Pegelhaus
• Preußisches Regierungsgebäude
• Balduinbrücke
• Peter-Altmeier-Denkmal
• Alte Burg
• Mutter-Beethoven-Haus
• Dikasterialgebäude
• Fort Asterstein
• Fort Konstantin
• Münzplatz
• Stadttheater
• Feste Kaiser Franz
• Neuendorfer Flesche

Museums in Koblenz

Deinhard Cellar Museum http://www.deinhard.com/history-origins/the-cellar-museum-1

Landesmuseum Koblenz http://www.landesmuseum-koblenz.de/ Address: Festung Ehrenbreitstein, 56077 Koblenz

Ludwig Museum http://www.ludwigmuseum.org/ Address: Danziger Freiheit 1, 56068 Koblenz (at „Deutsches Eck”)

Mittelrhein-Museum http://www.mittelrhein-museum.de/ Address: Florinsmarkt 15 – 17, 56068 Koblenz

Rheinisches Fastnachtsmuseum http://www.fastnachtsmuseum-koblenz.de

Rheinmuseum http://www.rhein-museum.de/ Address: Rhein-Museum Koblenz e.V., Charlottenstraße 53 a, 56077 Koblenz

Churches and religious places

Florinskirche

The basilica with its three naves dates was built in the 12th century. In its baptistery you can see a cannon bowl hanging at the blanket which should remind of the French bombardment in 1688. Standing out against the skyline of the old town you can find it near the bank of the Moselle, just beside the Florins’ s market.

Church of Our Beloved Lady (Liebfrauenkirche)

The Church of Our Beloved Lady is a 5-axial gallery basilica and has been converted many times. The gothic chancel was built around 1404 but the baroque dome towers date from 1693. The old vicarage of the Church of Our Beloved Lady is found to the immediate south of the Florin’s Church.

St. Kastor

The basilica which is steeped in history is found near to the German Corner and was declared a basilica minor on 30th July 1991 by Pope John Paul II.

Koblenz Shopping

-Old Town,
-Schlossstraße
-Oberer Löhr
-Löhrstraße and in the Löhr-Center

Annual Festivals

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“Rhine in Flames”

(Early August) Approx. 500 000 visitors, domestic and internal, come each year to this main event in Koblenz. Besides of the firework the ca. boat parade with ca. 80 boats cruises along the Rhine passing romantic villages, castles and palaces, all of which are lit up by Bengali lights. The grand finale is the fireworks above Fortress Ehrenbreitstein in Koblenz. Website: https://www.rhein-in-flammen.com/

Middle Rhine Musical Moments

(July and August) International stars as well as new talent and regional artists perform at this festival with a high-calibre concerts. Location: all the events take place in the romantic Rhine Valley between Koblenz and Bingen. Website: https://www.mittelrheinmusik.de/

“Horizonte” – Festival of World Culture

(In July) The “Horizonte” Festival of World Culture is held in the magnificent setting of Ehrenbreitstein fortress. Music groups from all over the world, including South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, are performing on several stages. This is one of the largest festivals of its kind in Germany. Website: http://horizonte-festival.de/

Gauklerfest Koblenz – International street entertainers festival

(August) Every August, for three days, the old quarter of Koblenz is transformed into an arena for numerous performing artists from a variety of countries. Website: https://gauklerfestung.de/

Koblenz International Guitar Festival

(In May): Website: https://www.koblenzguitarfestival.de/en/