An Afternoon Stop in Koblenz
July 1, 2026
Our next stop was Koblenz. It was founded as a Roman military post around 9 BCE. Koblenz derives its name from the Latin Confluentes, meaning "confluence" of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. That meeting point, the Deutsches Eck (German Corner), today features a monumental equestrian statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I, erected in 1897, destroyed in World War II, and rebuilt in 1993 as a memorial to German unity.
Just east of the equestrian statue is the Altstadt (old town), which features narrow medieval alleyways that grew organically over the medieval period. The cruise's walking tour focused on this section of town. Just south of Altstadt, along the Rhine, the 18th-century Neustadt (new town) features wider boulevards and landmarks like the Kurfürstliches Schloss Koblenz that reflect centuries under the rule of the Archbishopric of Trier.
Across the Rhine, the 19th-century Ehrenbreitstein Fortress overlooks the city from a hilltop roughly 120 meters above the river. It is easily accessible directly from the riverbank via an aerial cable car, which we took to visit the fort.
Click on the photos below to enlarge.
Kaiser Wilhelm Monument
Destroyed by artillery in 1945, this statue's pedestal stood empty as a monument to German unity until it was rebuilt in 1993.
Historical Column Koblenz
This 10-meter column depicts 2000 years of Koblenz history in ten carved scenes, from a Roman wine boat to WWII ruins.
Church of Our Lady
Its Baroque onion-domed towers date to 1693; a bell called the 'Reveler's Bell' still tolls nightly, a medieval curfew tradition.
Koblenz View From Fortress
Perched 118 meters above the rivers, this is the fortress's famous viewpoint over Koblenz and the Deutsches Eck below.
St Castor Basilica Gardens
Koblenz's oldest church, consecrated in 836, hosted 842 negotiations that led to the Treaty of Verdun.
Johannes Müller Memorial
Unveiled in 1899, this honors physiologist Johannes Muller; the dedication speech was given by his former student, Rudolf Virchow.
Ehrenbreitstein Fortress One
Within these walls, Ehrenbreitstein houses the Rhineland-Palatinate State Museum, exploring 5,000 years of regional history.
A Northward View of Koblenz
Koblenz gets its name from the Latin 'Confluentes' (confluence), founded around 8 BC where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet.
St Castor Basilica Ceiling
Pope John Paul II elevated this church to a basilica minor in 1991; its frescoes date to an 1822 restoration.
Schängel Fountain
This bronze boy, called 'Schangel,' unpredictably spits water at passersby to symbolize a prankster spirit
Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Two
The fortress also holds one of Germany's largest youth hostels, with guest rooms built directly into its 19th-century ramparts.
Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Closeup
This fortress could garrison 1,200 soldiers but was never attacked; an earlier version here endured a year-long siege in 1798-99.