One of Koblenz’s historical sights is the Old Castle Koblenz (Alte Burg Koblenz). If you walk along the Moselle, you will see the castle lying romantically on the banks. Massive white walls surround it. There are two rounded towers on the sides facing the river. Over the centuries, the castle in Koblenz has been extended and remodelled several times, resulting in a mixture of architectural styles. Gothic and Romanesque styles were combined. The Old Castle is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Upper Middle Rhine Valley’. It is the only medieval building in Koblenz that has been preserved over time.
History: The origins of Koblenz Old Castle in the 13th century
Koblenz Castle is a historical sight that is deeply rooted in the city’s past. The castle was initially built as a moated castle in the 13th century. Early on, it served as the residence of the Electors of Trier.
The castle became particularly important when the Moselle bridge was built in 1332. Due to its strategically favourable location, the castle played a central role in the medieval town fortifications and served to protect the town.
When the citizens demanded more rights, tensions arose. During this time, the castle serves as a so-called ‘Zwingburg’ and suppresses the townspeople’s aspirations for independence.
When Philippsburg Castle was built in Ehrenbreitstein in the 17th century, Koblenz Castle became less important. Its military use ends. Today, the city uses the castle as a municipal archive.
Special tips: Relax in the inner courtyard of the Old Castle
On the way to the old town, it is worth taking a short detour to the inner courtyard of Koblenz Old Castle. It is not very big. As it is not very busy, you can take your time to look at the architecture from the inside. And if you want to relax a little from sightseeing, you can also take a short break here.
Surroundings: Highlights around the Alte Burg Koblenz
From the castle in Koblenz, you can visit numerous sights in Koblenz. The Balduin Bridge (Balduinbrücke) spans the Moselle right next to the Old Castle. The bridge was built in the 14th century as an arch bridge. Koblenz’s old town centre is just a few minutes away. Romantic alleyways, cafés and restaurants and beautiful historic buildings are waiting for you.
You should definitely visit the lively Jesuit square (Jesuitenplatz), which is surrounded by beautiful historic houses. One of these is Koblenz Town Hall, which was built in the 16th century and has been extended time and again. From Jesuitenplatz, you can walk through an archway into the inner courtyard of the town hall. Here you will see the Schängel fountain, a landmark of Koblenz. On Görresplatz, you will see the Koblenz History Column, which depicts the 2000-year history of Koblenz.
