Koblenz might be my favorite German city so far. First, it’s on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers surrounded by beautiful historic castles. Second, it’s a very walkable city with so many charming old buildings combined with interesting modern architecture. Koblenz is actually over 2000 years old.
The tram system was initially installed as a temporary structure to celebrate the arrival of 2000. The city then wanted to keep it open post Millennium. It spent the next five years negotiating with UNESCO to keep the tram system without losing its UNESCO status for the valley. I am glad things worked out. The views from the cable cabins are spectacular. Plus, we were able to see the fortress which dates back to 1815. It actually occupies the same location of an earlier fortress that the French destroyed in 1801.
The city has been through a lot. The most is several severe storms that flooded out much of the town. Koblenz was severely bombed by the Allies during WWII. Yet there is a really positive energy and sense of whimsy. There is a really fun fountain in town that consists of a young boy who spits out water every few minutes. If you stand too close to the fountain, you will get soaked with water. It is called the Schangelbrunnen Fountain. Also, near the city’s modern art museum is a series of whimsical modern sculptures – a giant thumb, a purse and a bottle of Channel 5.
The huge memorial statue of Prince William is located where the two rivers meet. The original statue was copper and destroyed by the Allies during WWII. The current statue is a replica and only dates back to 1993.
We ended our visit on a very high note with a round trip ride on the cable tram that took us across the Rhine to the city’s fortress and then back to where our ship was docked.
NO time for boredom today 