Koblenz

Travel times from Heidelberg:
Train – 1 hour, 45 mins.
Car – 1 hour, 40 mins.

At the end of the 18th Century, English travelers, painters and poets—among them Lord Byron and William Turner—discovered the beauty of the river landscape along the Rhine, along with other literary leaders such as Goethe and Victor Hugo. People were fascinated by the medieval mood in the churches and collected myths and legends from the Rhine. Above all -Clemens von Brentano is worth mentioning here as the creator of the “Romantic Rhine.” His Lorelei ballad, which was transferred into a poem later on by Heinrich Heine from Düsseldorf, is a synonym of that time still today.

Follow their route along the chain of castles and palaces and the steep slopes of famous Rhine vineyards, past the legendary Lorelei to Koblenz.

You’ll find this more than 2000-year-old town known as the “Gateway to the Romantic Rhine,” the ideal starting point into the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Koblenz’s abundance of cultural monuments and historical buildings, the cozy little lanes and alleyways, and the relaxed and happy atmosphere of its squares and river promenades make Koblenz a charming town where its guests feel right at home. And it’s a perfect base for exploration of the Rhine and Mosel Rivers that border the city.

Start by exploring the narrow alleys and vibrant plazas of the Altstadt (Old Town), situated in the corner of town bordered by the Mosel to the north and Rhine to the east. A scenic walk that gives a sense of the breadth of this charming quarter is along the Mosel and Rhine promenades. Stroll across the Balduin Bridge, first built across the Mosel starting in 1342. The view back to the Altstadt offers a unique view with the turrets of the Old Castle and the two pointed steeples of St. Florin’s Church.

The two rivers play a major role in the German mythos. The Rhine symbolizes strength and pride, while the Mosel is more nurturing. Just a short stroll upstream along the Rhine promenade, sculpted figures of “Father Rhine and Mother Mosel” lie caressing and affectionate on a bed of grapes. Behind them in stately counterpoint stands the sprawling neo-classical Elector’s Palace, built in the late 1700s (closed to the public).

Make your way to the Deutsches Eck—or German Corner—with its monument of Emperor William I on horseback, where the rivers Rhine and Mosel meet. Standing at the tip of the Corner, you can watch the sparkling waters of the Mosel swirl into the powerful  Rhine. Across the Rhine stands the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, looming 388 feet above the river and reminding visitors of Koblenz’s symbolic strength and historic significance. Today, the Fortress houses a memorial to the German army, a youth hostel, the Regional Museum and a restaurant with excellent regional food.

Built on the occasion of the German Wine Exhibition in 1925, the Wine Village is situated on the Rhine banks (in the Empress-Augusta-Gardens). It has been a destination for connoisseurs of good wine and regional specialties for nearly 75 years. The complex includes a genuine vineyard and half-timbered houses from some of the most famous German wine-growing areas. Sit inside for a relaxing view out onto the river, or enjoy the romantic ambiance of sharing a glass of wine on the outdoor trellised courtyard.

There are myriad other attractions to enjoy in Koblenz aside from rivers and wine, though. The art museums alone could keep some guests captivated for a week. The Mother Beethoven House displays the world's largest private Beethoven exhibition. It was in the former home that the composer's mother, Maria Magdelena, was born in 1746. It also now houses documents and letters of cultural figures of the period.

Much of the city was demolished during World War II and was rebuilt with care, and the Deutsche Kaiser Building stands as a monument to the pre-war history of this city. An early 16th century “residential tower” with battlements, it was the only building to survive the war in its area of the Altstadt.