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Reichsburg, Cochem, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany photo by Dietmar Rabich

Top 10 Facts about Cochem Castle

Cochem castle has been the seat of and the biggest town in the Cochem-Zell district in Rhineland -palatine Germany. It falls just behind Kusel in the Kusel district as Germany’s second smallest district seat .

The castle has a long history of invaders which involve being  overrun and being rebuilt. It was first settled by the Celtics and the romans. Cochem which was established in the early 1000s  that was granted town right. It filled its coffers by collecting tolls from passing ships and built town fortification that still stand today.

The castle has been  destroyed in 1688 by French King Louis XIV’s troops during the Nine years’ war. It took almost 200 years to rebuilt by the wealthy Berliner .Louis Frederic Jacques Ravene who had purchased  the ruined property for the partly sum of 300 Goldmark.

Since then the ownership has been transferred several times including to  who had claimed the land. The palatine  region include the Cochem have fought over between France and Prussia until 1815. Then it permanently became part of Prussia. 

Cochem became part of the newly founded state of Rhineland- Palatinate. It was also mover from private ownership to the property of town of Cochem in 1978.

Here are the Top 10 Facts about Cochem Castle

1.It has been the city’s must  see castle with beautiful half- timbered buildings and cobble-stoned streets

The castle at Cochem, Germany. photo by Petter Ulleland

Cochem has been incredibly gorgeous Germany city that straddle the Mosel / Moselle River. It  has been the most populous town in the Cochem- Zell district of the Rhineland Platinate state of Germany.

2.Cochem castle has been a showpiece gems and rated as one the prettiest villages

Only few town in Germany can match the charm of Cochem. Its picturesque beauty that make it  a favorite place for the visitors. Legend folklore and rich web of history which is woven into  every street.

The castle has situated in the area of outstanding natural beauty in the Mosel river valley. It has been between the Eifel and Hundsruck. Cochem  which has been surrounded by high elevations, steep vineyards and typical wine villages, offering tastings, festivals and genuine hospitality.

The town has been many fine buildings, quaint cottages, black &tan guild houses and winding street. Its town square which is lined with its half- timbered house and is particularly fine.

3. King Konrad III who had occupied  the castle declared it an Imperial castle 

Reichsburg Cochem, Luftaufnahme (2015) photo by Wolkenkratzer 

The Reichsburg Cochem which had been first documentary mention in 1130.It was occupied by King Konrad III in 1151 who had declared the castle the Imperial castle. In 1688 the castle was overrun by French King  Louis XIV’s troops in the course of the Nine Years’ war.

4. The castle was built around the year 1000

The original Cochem Castle, perched prominently on a hill 300 feet above the Moselle River, served to collect tolls from passing ships. Modern research dates its origins to around 1100. (An alleged 1051 document mentioning the castle turned out to be a 13th century forgery.)

5. Discover the Mosel Valley in Cochem town

Cochem Castle View, Moselle Valley photo by Adrian Farwell

Cochem, Germany is a little town on the banks of the Mosel (Moselle) River in Western Germany. Here, time slows down, and you are able to truly enjoy your surroundings of rolling vineyards and riverfront towns.

The Mosel Valley is best known for its charming riverside towns and its Riesling grapes. And, there is no better place in the Mosel Valley to open you eyes to the beauty of this region than Cochem. Cochem is perfect for a relaxing escape from it’s larger neighbor.

6. Explore the Saint Roch’s Plague Chapel

The Pestkapelle St. Rochus, also known as the Peterskapelle seems to have had its groundwork laid in the time when Archbishop Otto von Ziegenhain waived Cochem’s customary taxes and levies for ten years on the occasion of the Plague. It is described in an engraving by Braun and Hogenberg as S. Pettersberg. Standing next to a small, rectangular chapel was a hostel. It is also possible that the red sandstone keystone set above the west portal comes from this time. Despite heavy weathering, a high relief of a Madonna sitting on clouds, with Child, framed with a Zweipass, can be made out. In 1666, the Plague came once again to Cochem.  

7. Take a tour to Bundesbank Cochem 

In 1962, Deutsche Bundesbank built a secret bunker in Cochem-Cond . It is 30 meters underground, disguised by two houses of the training and recreation center of Bundesbank. The bunker’s vault held a reserve series of German mark banknotes totaling 15 billion marks during the Cold War, intended to enter circulation in case the Eastern Bloc would try to cripple West German economy by massively counterfeiting the existing DM banknotes. To open the vault, bank officials from Frankfurt would have to bring over three different keys and a lock combination.

8. Cochem has been known for its wine producing

It  is famous in Germany for its wine, producing on some of the steepest vineyards in the world. Cochem is located in the Mosel Valley which is one of the richest wine production regions in Germany, along with the Ahr Valley, and the Middle Rhein Valley.

Due to the steep vineyards in Cochem, the grapes are sun-drenched for long months, resulting in high sugar levels. This sweetness is balanced with acidity and minerals from the slate-soil, resulting in the unique, crisp taste of Mosel Rieslings.

9. Explore the Cochem Altstadt

Cochem-altstadt-blick von Cond photo by Balou46

The Altstadt, or Old Town, in any German village is the best place to go. It has  instant charm, beautifully-preserved German architecture, and a lively crowd. The Cochem Old Town is very small, and cozy.

10.Take a Ride on the Cochemer Sesselbahn

The Sesselbahn is a open-air chairlift that will take you 255 meters above sea level to a station on the mountains for incredible sweeping views of Cochem. There is a cafe at the top of the mountain where you can enjoy local specialties or treat yourself to some icecream.