We started our tour of Germany in Koblenz. This old city sits where the River Rhine and the River Moselle converge. The confluence is known as Deutsches Eck or German Corner. This spot is marked by the Memorial of German Unity and the equestrian statue of William the first German Emperor. From here you can visit the Ludwig Museum, which exhibits contemporary art. Close by you can take the cable car, which travels across the River Rhine to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. This is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is open for visitors and hosts exhibitions. The other fortress, which is open to the public is Stolzenfels Castle sitting high above the city.
Koblenz has a backdrop of four mountain ranges and has several forts, which are the understandable link to the city’s strategic importance. The main attractions are in the Altstadt (Old Town), which has been reconstructed with cobblestone streets. One of the oldest buildings is the Romanesque basilica of St Castor, which dates back to the year 836. The twin towers of Florinskirche also mark the city’s skyline. There are so many historic buildings, sculptures and statues to see (far too many to list here) , but don’t miss the St Florin’s market clock. Every half hour it rolls its eyes and sticks out its tongue! Then there is the Schangelbrunnen , a cheeky fountain consisting of a small boy that randomly spits at people!
There are plenty of restaurants, which serve classic German cuisine and wines from the local vineyards. For those who prefer beers you can sample Gaffel Kolsch or Bitburger Pils. We stayed at the Hotel Haus Morjan with its flower bedecked balconies. Here we had a wonderful view of the river and it was only a short walk to where we boarded our boat for our onward journey.
Koblenz is definitely an attractive city to visit.
