Cobblestones on a steep walk up to the castle gate
Cochem is a pretty village situated on both sides of the Moselle River and dominated by the Reischburg Castle.
View from the castle to the far side of the river.
Fortunately we caught buses up the hill. Our instructions were to wear sturdy shoes, which meant ‘Be prepared for steep, cobble-stoned streets.’
Once inside the gates to the castle, we learnt
Neo-Gothic decor
something of its history: originally built in the 11th century, it was destroyed by the French in 1689. In 1869 it was bought by a wealthy individual who rebuilt it in the Neo-Gothic style.
Taken over by the Nazis during World War Two, it was then bought by the City of Cochem in 1978, repaired after wartime damage and is now a tourist attraction.
We were told that to be a man, you had to drink a full tankard
The ‘men’s’ room from outside.
Suits of armour – tall and average men.
Unlike most of the other German castles we visited, I found it hard to determine which sections of Reischburg had been destroyed during the war years as all of the interior looks very old. I think the turret on the picture below, was damaged, but it now invites a beautiful maiden with long blond hair to lean out, searching for her prince.
The castle is built into the rock – see the base of the wall
This well was dug by hand, deep into the rock.
The water is a long way down.