Koblenz Things to Do Tips by Elena77 Top 5 Page for this destination

Dikasterial Building Historic Buildings Review

When visiting fortress Ehrenbreitstein you will most likely come across the so called “Dikasterialgebäude”. It’s a lovely Baroque style building situated beneath the fortress, right next to the entranceway of the chair lift towards Ehrenbreitstein. It was built between 1739 – 1749 for Prince Elector (Kurfürst) Franz Georg von Schönborn and designed by Balthasar Neumann and his student Johannes Seitz. It housed the so called Dikasterium (dicastery), a secular authority responsible for the electoral courts and the State Planning Authority of Northern Rhineland-Palatinate. The Dikasterial Building was originally located right next to castle Philippsburg, one of the most important Baroque buildings along the Rhein (built in 1629). The castle itself has, unfortunately, been irreparably damaged in 1801 at the intrusion of the French Revolution army commanded by Napoleon Bonaparte. Castle Philippsburg had to be torn down but the dicastery building as well as a few more representative Rococo buildings (Krumstall and Marstall) have survived in their original structure. The building today houses the federal media centre.

Address: Hofstr. 257c, 56077 Koblenz

Directions: Opposite Ehrenbreitstein train station at interstate road B42. Accessible by train or bus # 7, 8, 9 or 10 (stop Ehrenbreitstein-Bahnhof/ Charlottenstr.)

Other Contact: info-hbf‎@‎koblenz-t

Phone: +49 261 / 31304

Website: http://www.koblenz-touristik.de/en

Alte Burg Beautiful Old Town Review

At the Mosel promenade, close to Balduin bridge, you will find this beautiful little castle. Alte Burg (Old Castle) was built on the foundations of a round tower dating back to the times of the Roman empire. In late 13th century the original structure was extended by order of Archbishop Heinrich II von Finstingen. A moated castle was built which became part of the city fortifications. During the centuries that followed Alte Burg has continuously been modified and reconstructed and Renaissance and Baroque style extensions were added. The building has 2 towers facing the Mosel and a 3rd for the richly ornamented spiral staircase built in 1557. During the Nine Years’ War, troops of the French King Louis XIV besieged Koblenz and large parts of the old town, including the castle, came to harm. The structure has been damaged a 2nd time in 1794 during the intrusion of the French revolutionary troops. Between1806 and 1897 a tinware factory settled in the old walls. After the shutdown of this factory the building was sold to the municipality of Koblenz.
During WWII Alte Burg gladly suffered minor damages only and between 1960 – 1962 the castle has been renovated costly and today it’s one of the main landmarks of Koblenz again. Alte Burg houses the City Archive and the City Library and can’t be visited, unfortunately. But the whitewashed walls and the beautiful towers nevertheless are worth a photo. After all it’s the only medieval structure at the old town that has outlasted the centuries and the eventful history of Koblenz without ever being destroyed.

Address: Burgstr. 1, 56068 Koblenz

Directions: Mosel promenade, close to Balduin bridge

Other Contact: info-hbf‎@‎koblenz-t

Phone: +49 261 / 31304

Website: http://www.koblenz-touristik.de/en

Vier Türme (Four Towers) Historic Buildings Review

Vier Türme (Four Towers) is the name of a group of buildings you will find at the old town. These 4 houses, flanking the crossing of Marktstrasse and Löhrstrasse, attract attention as their facades all have elaborate stone oriels and partly also have beautiful half-timbered constructions. The houses date back to the early 17th century but during the Nine Years’ War (1688 – 1697) suffered severe damage. The renovation followed soon after, though. A uniform design was used for the restoration, following construction plans of Johann Christoph Sebastiani.
All 4 houses have been denominated: St. Peter house stands on the South side, with the Green Tree House (Haus zum grünen Baum) standing to ist left (the Green Tree House is easy to spot as there actually IS a green tree painted on the stone oriel). House Raffauf and the red House Eierstock stand on the North side of the crossroads.
The houses again got damaged during WWII but have once more been affectionately restored and even partly extended in 1950. The Four Towers have become sort of a landmark of Koblenz. Only few late medieval/ early modern houses at this part of the old town have survived WWII and people are especially proud of their preservation.

Address: Marktstr./ Am Plan, 56068 Koblenz

Directions: At the old town, close to the town square called "Plan"

Other Contact: info-hbf‎@‎koblenz-t

Phone: +49 261 / 31304

Website: http://www.koblenz-touristik.de/en

Schöffenhaus Beautiful Old Town Review

At the old town you can find this beautiful early 16th century building called Schöffenhaus (lay assessors’ house). It was built next to the merchant’s house between 1528-1530 by order of archbishop Richard von Greiffenclau (died 1531). During the Nine Years’ War (in 1688) the lay assessors’ house was destroyed but in 1724 it was reconstructed. Damages of WWII were remedied during 1962-1964 when the building was converted into a part of the Middle Rhine Museum.
The most beautiful feature of Schöffenhaus can be seen at the building’s rear. Standing at the Moselle promenade you can see a fabulous rectangular oriel with leaded windows, wonderfully decorated and partly gilded.
On top of the staircase tower of Schöffenhaus you can also see a cupola crowned by a brazen star. The alley way next to Schöffenhaus is named after this feature: it’s called Unter'm Stern (Under the Star).

Address: Florinsmarkt 15, 56068 Koblenz

Directions: Old town, at Florinsmarkt (St. Florin's square)

Other Contact: www.mittelrhein-museum.de/

Phone: +49 261/ 31304

Website: http://www.koblenz-touristik.de

Herz-Jesu-Kirche Historic Buildings Review

The Catholic parish church Herz-Jesu (Sacred Heart) was built between 1900 – 1903, following construction plans of cathedral architect Ludwig Becker. In terms of area it is the biggest Catholic church in the Koblenz city centre and it also is one of the most important Neo-Romanesque sacred buildings of Germany. The church is located right at the transition of the historic old town to the Southern suburb. At the end of the 19th century the population of Koblenz had considerably increased to a number of around 30,000. And at this period of time there were only 2 Catholic churches at the municipal area: Liebfrauen (Church of our Lady) and St. Castor and so the construction of a new church was deemed necessary.
Sacred Heart Church was built at the site of the former Löhr Gate, part of the Prussian fortifications which were torn down in 1897. The consecration took place on 19th of May 1904. The Neo-Romanesque structure was severely damaged and burned out completely in WW II, though. Restoration works were finished in 1952.

Address: Löhrrondell 1a, 56068 Koblenz

Directions: At Koblenz town centre, close to the main shopping area

Other Contact: http://www.herz-jesu-koblenz.de/

Phone: +49 261/ 31304

Website: http://www.koblenz-touristik.de/

Bürresheimer Hof Historic Buildings Review

The beautiful late medieval building called „Bürresheimer Hof“ can be found at Florinsmarkt (St. Florin’s Square) right at the heart of the old town. It was built in 1659/ 60 for Lothar Ferdinand von der Leyen-Nickenich, a bailiff of the electorate of Trier. The building remained in possession of his family until 1714 and at that time it was known as „Nickenicher Hof“. The name was later changed as in early 18th century the building passed to the barons of Breitbach – Bürresheim.
In 1848 the building was sold to the Jewish community of Koblenz. It was used as a synagogue from 1851 until 1938 when during the so called „Night of broken Glass“ around 200 synagogues in Germany were destroyed. The complete inventory of the synagogue was smashed that night but the building remained intact until 1944 when Bürresheimer Hof burnt down. It got restored from war damage in 1955/ 56 and since 1965 the building houses parts of the Mittelrhein Museum. Exhibits include a city history collection, Baroque sculptures and paintings and works of Dutch and Middle Rhenish artists. At the museum there also is a room dedicated to the remembrance of the Jewish victims of the NS regime. If you wish to visit the remembrance room, preregistration is necessary (phone: +49 261/129 2652).

Address: Florinsmarkt 13, 56068 Koblenz

Directions: At Florinsmarkt (St. Florin's Square)

Other Contact: http://www.koblenz.de/stadtleben

Phone: +49 261 / 31304

Website: http://www.koblenz-touristik.de/en

Deutschherrenhaus Where Rhein and Mosel meet Review

The Knights of the Teutonic Order 1st came to Koblenz in 1216, after Archbishop Theoderich of Wied granted them a piece of land next to St. Castor’s church. The bestowal included the buildings of the St. Nikolaus Hospital which was situated here since around 1100. Teutonic Knights were called on to aid as a crusading military order during the Middle Ages but it was also their task to maintain hospitals to care for the sick and injured or for pilgrims. They established their commandry here, at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Moselle, and due to their presence soon the site was known as “Deutsches Eck” (German Corner). The Teutonic Knights considerably enlarged the commandry by acquiring 20 buildings in and around Koblenz and in the middle of the 13th century it was appointed a bailiwick.
The Knight’s church, that was built at this site in 1306, was almost completely torn down in 19th century and only the Southern walls have been preserved. Large parts of the commandry were later destroyed in WWII. Parts of the outer walls of the 14th century chapel can still be seen. The residential building of the Order’s commander has been restored from war damage, though.
Around 1800 the building was leased out to private citizens. But already in 1819 the Prussian military administration moved in and “Deutschherrenhaus” was used as a provisions magazine until 1895 when it was converted into the public record office.
Since 1992 it has been the home of the Ludwig Museum, devoted primarily to 20th century Frechn art. There’s a permanent exhibition called “Atelier de France”. Behind the museum’s main building you can find the gardens of the so called “Blumenhof” (flower court) where several 3-dimensional works of art are displayed.

Address: Danziger Freiheit 1, 56068 Koblenz

Directions: Few metres from Deutsches Eck (German Corner)

Other Contact: http://www.ludwigmuseum.org/

Phone: +49 261 / 31304

Website: http://www.koblenz-touristik.de/en

St. Florin's Church Beautiful Old Town Review

This church at the heart of the old town looks back on a most eventful past. The 1st sacral building at this site was a chapel used by the royal Frankish court. Later the chapel was replaced by a church which, in the middle of the 10th century, gained importance by obtaining relics of St. Florin. During the centuries that followed the church has repeatedly been extended and refashioned. In 1688, during the Nine Years’s War, huge parts of the church were destroyed. At the baptistery’s vault a cannon ball can still be seen. It serves as a reminder of the war’s destruction. In early 18th century the reconstruction of St. Florin’s church finally was finished. But already in 1791 the Southern steeple was again destroyed by a stroke of lightning. The French revolutionary troops which captured Koblenz in 1794 used the church as a magazine. The church inventory was scattered and the neighbouring diocese buildings were destroyed. Napoleon even had in mind to transform the remaining buildings of St. Florin’s church into the town’s slaughterhouse. Gladly this plan wasn’t implemented as in 1815 the Prussian troops brought Koblenz under their control again. The church was re-consecrated in 1820.

In 1929/ 30 archaelogical excavations brought to light foundations of the Roman town walls beneath the Gothic apse. At the Northern steeple you can also find 2 Frankish (6th century) sarcophagi which were found at St. Florin’s gardens.

Address: Am Florinsmarkt, 56068 Koblenz

Directions: Old town of Koblenz, at St. Florin's square (Florinsmarkt)

Other Contact: http://www.koblenz-mitte.de/

Phone: +49 261 / 31304

Website: http://www.koblenz-touristik.de/en

Berlin Wall Where Rhein and Mosel meet Review

At Deutsches Eck (German Corner) you can find 3 original concrete components of the Berlin Wall. They've been established as a monument to reunion. Bronze plates are affixed to the components and the inscriptions are: "17. Juni 1953", "9. November 1989" and "Den Opfern der Teilung":

17th of June 1953 was the date of the 1st attempt of the reunion between Western and Eastern Germany. This national uprising was violently suppressed by Soviet tanks and many people died on that sad day.
9th of November 1989 was the day when the Berlin Wall finally came down and Eastern Germany opened its borders to the West.
"Den Opfern der Teilung" means "Dedicated to the victims of separation".

Deutsches Eck had been chosen as a site for this memorial as the place itself had served as a monument to the hope of unity for decades.

Address: Danziger Freiheit, 56068 Koblenz

Directions: Right at Deutsches Eck, just walk around the Emperor Wilhelm monument and you will see the memorial

St. Castor's Church St. Castor's Church Review

The church of St. Castor is one of Koblenz’s most important sacred buildings, and also one of the oldest. Unfortunately the remains of the preceding structure have only been preserved in parts of the foundations. Originally a Roman Temple stood at this spot and later a Carolingian church which was consecrated in 836. In the 12th century the church was significantly enlarged, with the addition of the 2 spires, a choir and a miniatur gallery, flanked by 2 smaller spires, all in the Romanesque style. The columned basilica with ist 3 naves was re-consecrated at the beginning of the 13th century. At this time St. Kastor used to be the cultural and religious centre of Koblenz, even though the church was located outside of the town walls.
Worth seeing inside the building: the tombs of the Princes Elector Kuno von Falkenstein (died 1388) and Werner von Königstein (died 1418), lying beneath Gothic wall conopies, and the impressive bronze crucifix (cast in 1685) above the high altar. The early Baroque stone pulpit (1625) is also interesting.
At the area surrounding the church you can discover lots of interesting ancient grave stones dating from the 16th to 18th century.

Address: Kastorhof 8, 56068 Koblenz

Directions: Koblenz old town, only a few steps from Deutsches Eck (German Corner)

Other Contact: pfarrei@sankt-kastor-koblenz.de

Phone: +49 261 / 3 14 46

Website: http://www.sankt-kastor-koblenz.de/