Koblenz is a city in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in the Federal Republic of Germany. Koblenz has approx. 108,000 inhabitants; the surrounding area accounts for approx. 400,000 people in total.
As Koblenz (Latin (ad) Confluentes, "confluence" or "(at the) merging (rivers)", Covelenz, Cobelenz; local dialect "Kowelenz") was one of the military posts established by Drusus about 8 BC, the town celebrated its 2000th anniversary in 1992.
After Mainz and Ludwigshafen am Rhein, it is the third largest city in Rhineland-Palatinate, with a population of c. 106,000 (2006). Koblenz lies in the Rhineland, 92 kilometers (57 miles) southeast of Cologne by rail.
Around 1000 BC, early fortifications were erected on the Festung Ehrenbreitstein hill on the opposite side of the Moselle. In 55 BC Roman troops commanded by Julius Caesar reached the Rhine and built a bridge between Koblenz and Andernach. About 9 BC, the "Castellum apud Confluentes", was one of the military posts established by Drusus.
PLACE TO VISIT
Deutsches Eck. This spot (the name means German Corner in German) is where the Mosel River meets the Rhein River. The tip of the park is shaped like a ship's prow, overlooked by an enormous equestrian statue of Kaiser Wilhelm mounted on an equally-huge stone base that you can climb for a great view of the rivers and opposite shore castle/fort. Not far from the German Corner, you can catch a little sightseeing train which will drive around & point out some of the interesting things about Koblenz.
Festung Ehrenbreitstein. This is a big military castle/fort in good condition. From there you have a good view over Koblenz (entry fee about €2). There is also one of the museum of Koblenz. It is located on the other side of the Rhine.
Militär Museum. This is a big military museum. It is located on the other side of the Mosel. In the past Koblenz was an important strategic military area. On every side of the rivers were military castles/forts. Rivers were the most important logistic routes until the 20th century. Their possession could decide who won or lost a war.
Schängel-Brunnen. This is a nice little fountain near the town hall. You should stand three steps in front of the fountain and in front of the figure's face. Wait there three minutes. What then happens should bring fortune.
City Sculptures. Koblenz has a number of whimsical sculptures and fountains scattered throughout the city. Look for them as you walk around, and you will be pleasantly surprised.
Basilica St. Kastor or Kastorkirche, dedicated to Castor of Karden, with four towers. The church was originally founded in 836 by Louis the Pious, but the present Romanesque building was completed in 1208, the Gothic vaulted roof dating from 1498. In front of the church of Saint Castor stands a fountain, erected by the French in 1812, with an inscription to commemorate Napoleon's invasion of Russia. Not long after, Russian troops occupied Koblenz; and St. Priest, their commander, added in irony these words: "Vu et approuvé par nous, Commandant russe de la Ville de Coblence: Janvier 1er, 1814."
Liebfrauenkirche, a fine church (nave 1250, choir 1404-1431) with lofty late Romanesque towers; the castle of the electors of Trier, erected in 1280, which now contains the municipal picture gallery; and the family house of the Metternichs, where Prince Metternich, the Austrian statesman, was born in 1773. Also notable is the church of St. Florian, with a two towers façade from c. 1110.
Palace Residenzschloss, with one front looking towards the Rhine, the other into the Neustadt. It was built in 1778-1786 by Clement Wenceslaus, the last elector of Trier, under design by the French architect P.M. d'Ixnard; among other curiosities, it contains some fine Gobelin tapestries. From it some pretty gardens and promenades (Kaiserin Augusta Anlagen) stretch along the bank of the Rhine, and in them is a memorial to the poet Max von Schenkendorf.
Lahneck Castle is a medieval fortress located in the city of Lahnstein in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, south of Koblenz. The 13th-century castle stands on a steep rock salient above the confluence of the Lahn River with the Rhine, opposite Castle Stolzenfels, in the district of Oberlahnstein. Its symmetrical plan, an oblong rectangle, is typical of the later castles of the time of the Hohenstaufen. The pentagonal shape of the keep is rare for castle towers.
William I Monument - The Teutonic Knights were given an area for their Deutschherrenhaus Balley right at the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel, which became known as German corner (Deutsches Eck). In 1897, a monument to German Emperor William I of Germany, mounted on a 14 meter high horse, was inaugurated there by his grandson William II. The architect was Bruno Schmitz, who was responsible for a number of nationalistic German monuments and memorials. The German corner is since associated with this monument, the (re) foundation of the German Empire and the German refusal of any French claims to the area, as described in the song "Die Wacht am Rhein" together with the "Wacht am Rhein" called "Niederwalddenkmal" somewhat 30 km upstream.
WHAT TO DO
Watch football at the Oberwerth-Stadium and see TuS Koblenz.
On the second weekend in August, watch "Rhein in Flammen" (Rhein in Flames). During that weekend there are concerts at Deutsches Eck, with a big fireworks display on Saturday evening. The history for this event is that the Germans sent burning ships down the Rhine and confused the Roman troops. So they broke through the "limes", a wall which protected the Romans from the uncivilized wild Germans.
In September is the "Nacht der Museen" (Night of Museums). Special buses run between museums and other points of interest, which are open till midnight. Ticket for entrance and bus is about €16.
Boating trips on the Rhine are famous. There are castles and vineyards to see.
Koblenz has a classical theater. In Germany, men wear suits and women wear gowns when going to a classic theatre.
In Blaue Biwel enjoy the cabaret.
For young people, KuFa (culture factory) offers nice plays and concerts.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Koblenz is located within one hour travelling time of three major German airports:
Frankfurt, which is a main European hub and home of Lufthansa (rates will be comparably expensive),
Frankfurt-Hahn, which is a hub of the low-cost airline Ryanair and Wizz Air, Pegasus Airlines, Blue Air, & Iceland Express.
Cologne, which is served by major airlines and low-cost carriers as HLX, Germanwings, EasyJet.
By train - Koblenz can easily be reached by train, for example from the Frankfurt/Mainz area, Cologne area or Trier. These towns are one to two hours away and connections run from early in the morning till late night.
By car - Three German motorways lead to Koblenz: A3, A48 and A61. Parking in the center of Koblenz is sometimes restricted according to time. Park and ride is available. The train station has a parking garage, as does the Löhr Center. Pay attention to closing times at the Löhr Center parking garage - it closes shortly after the shops, typically catching at least a few tourists unaware!
By bus - Many bus companies offer trips to Koblenz for one or more days.
