Things to Do in Koblenz

The fortress looks over the Rhine and Koblenz from a hill. Its fame is due more to its role as an important cultural centre rather than any architectural beauty. Here you’ll find several museums:

• Haus der Fotografie (photography)
• Haus der Archaologie (archaeology)– explores Koblenz’s archaeological history.
• Landesmuseum Koblenz (temporary exhibitions)
• Haus des Genusses
• Three Historical Gardens on the roof– Stone Age, Roman and Modern

If you book a guided tour of the fort, you’ll be lucky enough to be shown around by an actor who’ll adopt a historical persona for your amusement.

Check out Cafe Hahn GmbH for some excellent Prussian cuisine at the fortress. The fortress is also the location for the Koblenz Youth Hostel– if you can, stay there. It has a great view of the city.

Hands down the best way to get to the fortress is by cable car– a 900 metre ride that crosses the Upper Middle Rhine Valley and offers splendid panoramas as it soars above the river.

This Gothic Revival 19th century palace was completed in 1842, commissioned by Frederick William IV of Prussia. After WWII though, it was returned to the city. Far more beautiful than the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, the palace was used by the King as a summer residence. Its guests included Queen Victoria. Today, the castle remains more or less as the King left it, full of paintings, weapons, armour and furnishings. There are some pretty gardens too, and a wonderful view over the country scape.

It’s a popular spot for weddings.

You can’t explore this entire stunningly beautiful neo-classical palace. However, the little bits that are open to the public are worth drooling over. Commissioned in the late 18th century, it was used by the emperor Wilhelm I as his official residence during his years as military governor. Today, its many rooms are used by various federal offices. There is a café on the ground floor. Most people come to visit the gardens though, which are expansive and immaculately maintained, and look over the Rhine. It’s a nice place to click photos. Make sure to get some pics of the sculpture of Father Rhine and Mother Mosel.

The rivers Mosel and Rhine meet at the tip of this headland. The part that always gets the tourist excited is how the different colors of the two rivers meet. A great statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I on horseback towers above the attraction– it’s said to express German might, optimism and nationalism. And that’s not the only bit of nationalism you’ll see – there’s a great big national flag, and 16 state flags flying high over the corner. Another fun thing to do is see passenger ships carefully navigate their way from the mouth of one river into the other. Once you’re done taking in the sights, it’s time for a stroll along the lovely flowery paths that stretch down and away from the headland.

Koblenz, like Bremen, has its own sculpture with attitude. Instead of child urinating, this bronze sculpture spits jets of water from its mouth. The secret behind this fountains’ story lies in its name. Koblenz was once a part of France, and kids born here at that time were called Franco-Germans who were often called Jean (after the German Johann or Hans). In local dialect, this was developed into “Shang”, a diminutive of Jean. The statue itself is dedicated to the poet Josef Cornelius, and was built in 1940.

So when you hear of Koblenz being filled with ‘happy little squirts’, you’re not wrong. The square around this statue, right outside the town hall, is usually quite lively. It’s a fun place to hang out. The buildings are beautiful – usually Renaissance or Baroque.

This square has a long history – it was once settled by the Romans! It’s been called many names through history, but the current one comes from the poet Joseph Gorres. The squares most prominent landmark is the magnificent fountain-sculpture in the centre. 10 metres high and elaborately carved with many scenes from Koblenz’s history, it was a gift to the city from the Rhineland-Palatinate in 1992; that year marked 2000 years since Koblenz was founded.

Today, it’s an excellent place to be after a day of sightseeing– there are many eateries and bars nearby. It’s a lively place too– from the benches, you can people-watch. If you’re lucky, a band may be playing music.

This is one of the largest armaments museums in the country and was founded in the 19th century. This museum supplies helpful information to the engineers in the field of armaments. The museum holds a large collection of tanks, helicopters, planes etc. The museum holds a collection of military equipments, ranging from the early 19th till present. This museum is a great place to get acquainted with all vehicles related to military. Passport is required for entry.

Koblenz’s oldest church is Romanesque, and has seen many important historical events. It was built in the 9th century, and honors St. Castor, who was apparently a missionary in these parts in the 4th century. Over the centuries, the monastery here became an important meeting point for rulers who had disputes and negotiations to settle. The highlights of the church are:

• The St. Brigid Madonna
• The old main organ and the choir organ and the new Main Organ
• The Sundial
• The Chapel of St. Michael
• The 1963 war memorial
• The Kastorbrunnen Fountain
• The beautiful stained glass
• The lovely relief carvings

Koblenz’s oldest church is Romanesque. The first church in this location was from the 5th century, but the building you see today began construction during the 12th. Highlights are:

• Choir with the altar
• The baptismal font
• Tomb of Anna Antonetta Baroness von Kesselstatt
• Bust of Johann Cramprich
• 17th century painting of St. Nicholas
• 14th century wooden Cruxifix

Every city should have something like this to tell its story! This interactive exhibition contains about 70 stations that tell the story of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. You board a virtual steamship that courses the river, and learn about the legends and tales of the Rhine as you do. You meet all the personalities that shaped the Rhine’s history, such as Goethe to Heine, from Queen Augusta to Queen Victoria. It’s especially useful for those planning to take hiking or camping trips around the river.

This pretty 13th century castle is a protected cultural monument. Its architecture contains elements of late Gothic, the Renaissance and the Baroque. The best way to view it is to take a guided tour. (it’s in English) Note that the castle lies on a hill, and you have to walk up about 1km to reach it (or you could just take a shuttle bus).

This volunteer-supported railway museum is quite interesting. It sued to be a freight wagon repair shop. Today, based mainly on the concept of electric rail, there are about 40 locomotives and 50 carriages and wagons. A small shop here sells memorabilia and gifts.

What European town is complete without its own Irish Pub? The ambience is great. There may be a band playing. It’s not too loud and you can hear yourself talk above the music. The owner, Shay Dwyer, is something of a Koblenz landmark himself. He and his pub have been here for 30 years as of 2015.

The Ludwig Museum in the German Mansion is an art museum established in 1992. It focuses mainly on 10th century French art. It has one of the largest collections of Picasso’s in the world, as well as works by Warhal and Matisse. A major eye-catcher is an outdoor sculpture – the Thumb of Cesar. The building and its grounds are kind of pretty too, and it’s a nice place for a stroll.

This neo-Romanesque Catholic Church was completed in 1903. It was commissioned to help accommodate Koblenz’s fast growing population. It’s big, spacious, and good-looking. The interior of the church was redesigned after the bombing it took in WWII. There’s an art museum at the back of the church. Take a walk in the garden outside.