After sailing the Rhine, we boarded our bus and drove to Cochem. On the way we saw another castle on a hill – like our 35th of the day!

The vineyards in this area evolved from its Roman heritage from the years 50 BC to 400 AD.  Every soldier was given a liter of wine each day for his health. Over time the riesling grape became the dominate crop.

This city gate was built in 1532 .  It is one of three remaining gates in Cochem.  There were once four gates.

On the outside is an opening to deter an enemy by dropping bad stuff – like boiling oil or sewage.

There are narrow streets in historic Cochem.

This is the oldest house in Cochem.  It was built in 1332.  Two flood markers, dated 1781 and 1784,  are on the right side just below the lower window.

This house is from 1704. 

Going under the watchtower and out another gate, we had a view of Reichsburg Castle. 

The main tower of the castle is 120 meters high. 

Reichsberg Castle was built in 1020 as the seat of Palatine nobles. 

In 1151, it became a home for German kings. 

In 1294 Archbishop of Trier made it a seat for his administration.  The Lord Electors of Trier used it until 1689.

In 1689 it was destroyed by French troops and eventually turned into a ruin.

The main tower has a mosaic of St. Christopher.

This tower, the Witches Tower dates back to 1020 and was never destroyed.

In 1860 Louis Ravene, from Berlin, bought the castle ruin. Over ten years he rebuilt it as a summer house. He died two years after it was completed.

In 1943 the family sold the castle to the Third Reich because of high taxation. Ancestors of this German family live in Canada and have been included in more recent castle celebrations.

After World War II, the castle reverted to the German  government. In 1978, the town of Cochem bought the castle for equivalent of $358,000.

When the family sold to the Third Reich, they took most of the furniture with them.  

The city has tried to get original furniture back and they have seven rooms refurnished.

The dining room shows the Romanesque style, very balanced and symmetrical.

Other rooms were finished in gothic and baroque styles.

This room has two secret doors opened by small step switches on the floor. The first goes down to an escape tunnel.  The other goes to the upper bedrooms.

In a room dedicated to hunting we saw an interesting door.

If you have had a bit too much to drink………

Put the key in the vicinity of the lock on the door and the guide will help you insert it in the lock.

The most valuable piece of furniture in the castle is this multi wood chest and wardrobe from the 16th century.

In the knight room we learned that the military salute originates from when knights used to raise their faceplate to greet their foe.

The well on the castle grounds is 150 feet deep and was dug when the castle was first built.

This is the view of Cochem from the castle. The city was damaged in WWII when the allies were trying to destroy a tunnel.   

In 1974 people were getting wood from the city to rebuild.  A rich owner applied for wood and his request was denied. The city leaders told him that he could afford to do it himself.

The man did pay for rebuilding himself but added faces on his facade to always show disapproving looks towards city hall.

He also added bells that ring four times per day so the rest of the city would have to listen to them.

One of Cochem’s specialties is a peach liquor made from small gray peaches that are not sweet.  Tastings are available in the town shops. We tried several and bought two small bottles! This was our favorite.

We were in Cochem on September 6, 2023

Next up: Bernkastle and one of our favorite excursions of the whole trip.