Koblenz

One of the most charming of the romantic Rhine towns, Koblenz sits at the confluence of the Rhine and the Mosel, in the center of Germany’s two best-known wine growing regions. The old quarter’s narrow streets and squares form an archetypal Old World town, with the 12th century churches of St. Florin and the Frauenkirche, along with the Romanesque Basilica of St. Kastor. Where the two rivers join, a grand monument, the Deutsches Eck, with a statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I towers over a terrace that extends into the rivers like the bow of a ship. The riverside promenade, with its views of castles above the Rhine, is as popular with locals as it ...

One of the most charming of the romantic Rhine towns, Koblenz sits at the confluence of the Rhine and the Mosel, in the center of Germany’s two best-known wine growing regions. The old quarter’s narrow streets and squares form an archetypal Old World town, with the 12th century churches of St. Florin and the Frauenkirche, along with the Romanesque Basilica of St. Kastor. Where the two rivers join, a grand monument, the Deutsches Eck, with a statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I towers over a terrace that extends into the rivers like the bow of a ship. The riverside promenade, with its views of castles above the Rhine, is as popular with locals as it is with visitors. Above the river on a rock that is sometimes called the Gibraltar of the Rhine, Ehrenbreitstein fortress, former seat of German Electors, is one of Europe’s largest castles. In the town itself, Stolzenfels Castle began as a toll station, then residence for the Archbishop. Destroyed by the French, it was rebuilt in 1836 as a palace for King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia. The wall paintings are some of the best examples of the Rhine Romantic period.

About the Expert

Stillman Rogers has written more than two dozen guidebooks, including Adventure Guide to Canada's Atlantic Provinces, Guide to Eastern Canada, and Adventure Guide to the Chesapeake.