Cochem Castle

Cochem, Germany

The original Cochem Castle, perched prominently on a hill above the Moselle River, served to collect tolls from passing ships. Modern research dates its origins to around 1100. Before its destruction by the French in 1689, the castle had a long and fascinating history. It changed hands numerous times and, like most castles, also changed its form over the centuries.

In 1151 King Konrad III ended a dispute over who should inherit Cochem Castle by laying siege to it and taking possession of it himself. That same year it became an official Imperial Castle (Reichsburg) subject to imperial authority. In 1282 it was Habsburg King Rudolf’s turn, when he conquered the Reichsburg Cochem and took it over. But just 12 years later, in 1294, the newest owner, King Adolf of Nassau pawned the castle, the town of Cochem and the surrounding region in order to finance his coronation. Adolf’s successor, Albrecht I, was unable to redeem the pledge and was forced to grant the castle to the archbishop in nearby Trier and the Electorate of Trier, which then administered the Reichsburg continuously, except for a brief interruption when Trier’s Archbishop Balduin of Luxembourg had to pawn the castle to a countess. But he got it back a year later.

The Electorate of Trier and its nobility became wealthy and powerful in large part due to the income from Cochem Castle and the rights to shipping tolls on the Moselle. Not until 1419 did the castle and its tolls come under the administration of civil bailiffs (Amtsmänner). While under the control of the bishops and electors in Trier from the 14th to the 16th century, the castle was expanded several times.

In 1688 the French invaded the Rhine and Moselle regions of the Palatinate, which included Cochem and its castle. French troops conquered the Reichsburg and then laid waste not only to the castle but also to Cochem and most of the other surrounding towns in a scorched-earth campaign. Between that time and the Congress of Vienna, the Palatinate and Cochem went back and forth between France and Prussia. In 1815 the western Palatinate and Cochem finally became part of Prussia once and for all.

Louis Jacques Ravené (1823-1879) did not live to see the completion of his renovated castle, but it was completed by his son Louis Auguste Ravené (1866-1944). Louis Auguste was only two years old when construction work at the old ruins above Cochem began in 1868, but most of the new castle took shape from 1874 to 1877, based on designs by Berlin architects. After the death of his father in 1879, Louis Auguste supervised the final stages of construction, mostly involving work on the castle’s interior. The castle was finally completed in 1890. Louis Auguste, like his father, a lover of art, filled the castle with an extensive art collection, most of which was lost during the Second World War.

In 1942, during the Nazi years, Ravené was forced to sell the family castle to the Prussian Ministry of Justice, which turned it into a law school run by the Nazi government. Following the end of the war, the castle became the property of the new state of Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate). In 1978 the city of Cochem bought the castle for 664,000 marks.

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Address

Oberer Weg 1, Cochem, Germany
See all sites in Cochem

Details

Founded: 1100
Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Salian Dynasty (Germany)

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Vishwanath Diraviam (2 years ago)
Located on top of the hill, you will be crossing the old town filled with cute restaurants and pastry shops to reach the castle. Absolutely mesmerising views from the top of the castle. You can also take the car and park near the castle. The walk is also not that long. Once you reach the top you can see the beautiful view of Cochem town with the river flowing in the middle. Definitely worth visiting.
Pereni K (2 years ago)
The tour was fantastic and the castle is gorgeous! But the tour was super quick and fast and you can't stay in the castle (at least in the courtyard) after the tour. No chance to take photos with the beautiful roses and the architecture :(
Naomi Montesinos (2 years ago)
Nice walk to the castle. Beautiful view. Nice different cakes and drink in the cafe. Perfect for a drink with a view. Little more pricey that regular but not much. If you want you can enter the castle with a tour. This is around 7EU.
Deborah Wiltshire (2 years ago)
Quite a walk up to the castle, but worth the effort. Not many rooms are open, but we had a great tour guide.... knowledgeable and friendly with good humour. The views are also beautiful!
Pui (3 years ago)
Very nice view from the top! We arrived early and enjoy the outdoor terrace at the restaurant with some drinks and snacks. Totally recommend it. Very good service. The tour is short but it worth it! Very friendly guide.
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