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Cochem Castle
Cochem Imperial Castle (Reichsburg Cochem) is the far-visible landmark of the town of Cochem on the Moselle, perched on a prominent hilltop above the river valley. The original castle complex dates back to the 11th century and served as a toll castle to control river traffic. In 1689, it was destroyed by the troops of French King Louis XIV during the War of the Palatine Succession and remained a ruin for a long time. It owes its current Neo-Gothic appearance to the Berlin businessman Louis Ravené, who had it rebuilt as a summer residence between 1868 and 1877. The castle features magnificent interiors such as the Knight's Hall, the dining room, and the lady's chambers, furnished with valuable Renaissance furniture and tapestries. Today, the Imperial Castle is one of the most visited sights on the Moselle, offering visitors insights into knightly life and the history of the region. The sweeping view from the battlements over the Moselle loop is a popular photo motif. Historic knight's banquets and castle festivals are regularly held at the castle.
- Location: Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
- Top sights: Pinnerkreuz;Aussicht Pinnerkreuz · Skagerrak-Brücke · Kachelwand
- Nearby: Polch (20 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 65 | 55 | 55 | 46 | 72 | 70 | 70 | 75 | 55 | 61 | 64 | 74 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- The castle sits approximately 100 meters above the water level of the Moselle.
- The reconstruction in the 19th century cost around 1.1 million gold marks at the time.
- The prominent four-story keep (Bergfried) has a base of about 10 by 10 meters.
- The first documentary mention of the castle dates back to the year 1130.
- Since 1978, the Imperial Castle has been owned by the town of Cochem.
- The castle chapel houses a valuable altar retable from the 15th century.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Cochem Castle (10)
St. Remaclus
Church building in Cond, a district of Cochem.
Pfarrkirche St. Martin
Church building in Cochem, Catholic parish church.
Kulturzentrum Kapuzinerkloster
Former Capuchin monastery, now a cultural centre in Cochem.
Weinbergshäuschen
Small building in the vineyard, built in 1800.
Bundesbank-Bunker Cochem🏛 museum
Former Bundesbank bunker for currency reserves in Cochem.
Aussichtspunkt Reichsburg Cochem
Viewpoint overlooking Reichsburg Cochem castle.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the castle without a guided tour?
How do you get from Cochem town up to the castle?
Is there a restaurant at the castle?
Is photography allowed inside the castle?
Is the castle wheelchair accessible?
Cochem Castle: where is it located?
Cochem Castle: what is there to see?
Cochem Castle: when is the best time to visit?
Cochem Castle: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
