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Cochem Imperial Castle

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Cochem Imperial Castle (Germany)

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Cochem Imperial Castle sits atop a prominent rock cone more than 100 meters above the Moselle River in Rhineland-Palatinate. The original fortress was built around the year 1000 and served as a toll castle and imperial residence during the Middle Ages. During the Nine Years' War in 1689, the fortress was almost completely destroyed by the troops of French King Louis XIV and remained a ruin for over 180 years. In 1868, the Berlin merchant Louis Ravené acquired the site and had the castle rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style as a summer residence for his family. The reconstruction, which lasted until 1877, was only partially based on historic plans, creating instead a romanticized good of a knight's castle. Inside, magnificent rooms such as the Knight's Hall and the dining room impress with elaborate wood carvings and murals. Since 1978, the castle has been owned by the town of Cochem and now serves as a significant museum for the history of the Moselle region.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C01481216181814951
Rain mm655555467270707555616474

📋 Practical info

📍
Address
Schlossstraße 36, 56812 Cochem
🕒
Hours
Daily 09:00-17:00
💶
Entry
Adults €7, children €3.50 (tour only)
🌐
Website
reichsburg-cochem.de
🚌
Transit
From Cochem station with the castle bus (line 781).
🅿️
Parking
Parking in Cochem on the Moselle, steep walk uphill (approx. 15 min).
♿
Accessibility
Not accessible due to the historic site and steep paths.
📷
Photos
Allowed outside, forbidden inside during the tour.
⭐
Best time
Autumn when the vine leaves change color in the Moselle valley.
🎧
Audio guide
Information sheets in 12 languages available for the tour

Geography

Coordinates
50.14000, 7.16000

Facts

  • The castle was first mentioned in an official document in the year 1130.
  • The reconstruction under Louis Ravené cost about 1.5 million Gold Marks at the time.
  • The octagonal main tower (keep) is 40 meters high and has walls 3.5 meters thick.
  • In 1689, French sappers blew up the walls and burned down the castle.
  • The castle grounds today cover an area of approximately 3,000 square meters.
  • The town of Cochem purchased the castle in 1978 for a price of 6.64 million DM.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

📍Cochem<1 km · NEExplore →
Zell an der MoselZell an der Mosel13 km · SExplore →
Eltz CastleEltz Castle14 km · NEExplore →
MoselleMoselle19 km · SWExplore →
📍Polch21 km · NEExplore →
📍Traben-Trarbach21 km · SExplore →
📍Kastellaun22 km · EExplore →
📍Mayen22 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Cochem Imperial Castle (10)

Aussichtspunkt Hubertushöhe

Viewpoint overlooking Cochem and the Moselle river bend.

Weinbergshäuschen

Small building in the vineyard, built in 1800.

Aussichtspunkt Reichsburg Cochem

Viewpoint near Reichsburg Cochem with panoramic views.

Kulturzentrum Kapuzinerkloster

Former monastery, now a cultural centre hosting events.

Pfarrkirche St. Martin

Church building in Cochem, a Catholic parish church.

Enderttor

City gate in Cochem, part of the historic town fortifications.

Kachelwand

Wall covered with tiles, a local artwork.

Skagerrak-Brücke

Bridge in Cochem, named after the naval battle of Skagerrak.

St. Remaclus

Church building in Cond, a Catholic church.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Was Cochem Castle ever destroyed?
Yes, it was destroyed by French troops in 1689 and rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style in the 19th century.
Can the castle only be visited with a tour?
The interior of the castle is only accessible via a guided tour (approx. 40 minutes) for safety reasons.
Is there a shuttle bus to the castle?
Yes, the Reichsburg shuttle (line 701) runs regularly from May to October from the Cochem market square up to the castle.
Are knight's banquets held there?
Yes, on Fridays and Saturdays, rustic knight's banquets with a medieval program are often offered for groups.
How is the view from the castle?
From the terraces, you have a spectacular view of the Moselle loop and the surrounding vineyards.
Cochem Imperial Castle: where is it located?
Cochem Imperial Castle is located in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
Cochem Imperial Castle: what is there to see?
Highlights include Aussichtspunkt Hubertushöhe, Cochem Castle, Weinbergshäuschen.
Cochem Imperial Castle: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Cochem Imperial Castle: why is it worth visiting?
Cochem Imperial Castle sits atop a prominent rock cone more than 100 meters above the Moselle River in Rhineland-Palatinate.
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