Rising 100 meters (330 foot) above the scenic Moselle River, Reichsburg Cochem is a towering medieval period castle perched atop a hill. Originally, its purpose was to collect a toll from each passing shop, now it's serves as a popular tourist destination in the area. Its unique combination of neo-gothic architecture with remnants of Romanesque design stands testament to the many hands it changed over the centuries. Reichsburg Cochem also provides interesting tours for the whole family. Check out the tour timings on the website.
During the Cold War, Germany hoarded a lot of currency at a hidden location in Cochem. This secret bunker built by the Deutsche Bundesbank could also shelter 80 civilians in the event of a crisis and included a radio room, sleeping rooms, and several working rooms. Today, it functions as a major tourist attraction and a museum, offering tours by the hour. A tour of this fabled bunker with a knowledgeable guide is like a trip back in time. However, the timings vary according to season.
A beautiful representation of German Romanesque architecture, the Maria Laach Abbey is a Benedictine abbey that was established in the year 1093. Located on the shores of the picturesque Laacher Lake, its serene lakeside setting coupled with the various towers and turrets of the Abbey, lend it a fairy-tale fortress appeal. Several embellishments have been added over the years such as 16th-century murals, mosaics dating back to 1910 and stained glass windows from the 1950s.
Basilika St. Kastor is a quaint church that was built by the bishop of Trier. The church has a picturesque architecture and with intriguing interiors. The place is best known for being the site where the famed treaty was signed which divided the Carolingian Empire. Inside you can find old relics, epitaphs of bishops, inscriptions and so on.
At the confluence of Mosel and Rhine, Deutsches Eck is a headland that has been an integral part of German history during war times. Characterized by an equestrian statue that soars over the city, it is a monument honoring the first German Emperor William I. The original statue was inaugurated in 1897 and a refurbished statue was installed in 1993. A tribute to German unity, the headland is a popular tourist attraction today. Boat rides through the inland waterway of Mosel and Rhine are an ideal way to view the Deutsches Eck.
Traced back to the medieval era, Burg Thurant is surrounded by vineyards and overlooks nearby towns. Archbishop battles, medieval torture devices and finally a peace treaty are some of its true stories that bring people to explore its once glorious past.
Constructed in the year 1270, Bischofstein Castle was ravaged in the year 1689 but rebuilt in the year 1930. Fichte Gymnasium purchased Bischofstein Castle in 1954 and presently, it is used as a retreat center by the school. One striking aspect of Bischofstein Castle is its towering cylinder-shaped pillar beset adorned with a white streak of plaster. The chapel in ruins adjoining Bischofstein Castle is also one of its prominent attractions. Bischofstein Castle served as a bastion for Archbishops of Treves. Today, the 800-year old Bischofstein Castle serves as a fine specimen of 1930s' architectural style.
Dating from the 18th century, this winery has accumulated a large number of loyal customers owing to its quality wines. Weingut Scheidgen is located amid the idyllic environs of Hammerstein, and boasts acres and acres of sprawling vineyards which produce some of the best variants of Chardonnay, Burgundy wine, Pinot Noir and Riesling among others. Take a tour through the estate's cellar and indulge in some tasteful wine to round off your experience.
Josef Bernard-Kieren winery is a great place to sample the good old Riesling or Secco varieties, or try some of that fruity and dry wines for a new experience. Surrounded by brick walls, cobbled lanes and green shrubs, the wine bar is particularly charming, and finds a lot of visitors, who sip and savor the brews here.
Pydna (Missile Base) or the Pydna (Raketenbasis) was home to nuclear weapons during 1930 and the years that followed. Cruise missiles were stationed here and the bunkers that were built for the army then still can be seen on site along a number of traces of the place's historic past. Today this missile base is used as a venue for a number of local events, The Nature One being the most popular of them all. This event attracts youngsters from all across the globe and the venue is converted into a euphoria zone laden with music, dramatic lights and impeccable acoustics. Whether an event is on or not, Pydna (Raketenbasis) is still worth a visit.