A look at Koblenz and Marksburg Castle
We docked at Koblenz very early Thursday morning, and spent the day exploring the city as well as nearby Marksburg Castle and the massive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress that looms over the city. This was the view from our stateroom at 7:20am as we were about to go for breakfast.
This is what needs to be in one’s pockets to leave on a tour – Quietvox so you can hear the guide, room key-card, boarding pass and tour number card.
We began a walking tour of Koblenz at 09:00. One of the oldest buildings in the city has this wonderful painting on a flat wall that joins it to a new addition.
The head below this clock has eyes that move back and forth, and once each hour, it sticks its tongue out 🙂
Some of the wonderful architectural details to be seen.
A service was being conducted in the Liebfrauenkirche so we didn’t go further in.
Two signs that every visitor needs to be aware of – for an ATM (geldautomat) and washrooms (WC).
This Lotus 7 replica turned a few heads when it went by 🙂
The former Jesuit school is now the town hall. The 24 upper windows are used as an Advent calendar at Christmas.
Now that’s a unique facade!
The very impressive statue at Deutsches Eck.
I have no idea what sort of plane this is that did a low fly-over while I was at Deutsches Eck – more Googling for when I get home. [It’s an Airbus A400M Atlas – registration EC-402, s/n 002]
A harmonica busker at Deutsches Eck.
A wonderful fountain of recent vintage details many events from the history of Koblenz, even unpleasant ones such as slave trading.
The old “spitting boy” fountain takes some patience to capture at the right moment 🙂
After lunch, we boarded 3 motorcoaches for the short drive to Marksburg Castle. This was shot from the bus window en route.
Our guide at the castle was, once again, very good. Most people seemed to miss the humour in her comment that we should get the good view photo of the huge entry key before she put it in her back pocket.
The entry ramp to the castle. It was originally built with doors large enough that a mounted knight could ride in.
Now that’s a “commanding” view!
The interpretation at the castle is the best we’ve seen so far – many aspects of the lives of both the common and wealthy are to be seen. It was so dark in this room that you could hardly see, but a long exposure brings out the details.
Torture rooms are always a hit. This was a really poor time in man’s history to be even a little bit bad!!
After our tour of Marksburg Castle, we boarded the motorcoaches for the transfer to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. It’s a rather sterile site, though the size is certainly impressive.
And the fortress certainly offers a postcard view of Koblenz. The Rhine River is right below, while the Mosel is flowing from the upper part of the photo. Deutsches Eck is the triangle where the rivers meet.
Riverboats stacked up three deep along the Mosel. The River Queen is at the front inside position.
To get back to the ship, we boarded this aerial tramway, which was built last year specially for a huge flower show, and was supposed to have been taken down after. I rather think that it’s there to stay, as it’s very popular.
Back on board, we sailed for Cologne.
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