Your city experience Koblenz!

The Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, starts near Koblenz. It’s significance doesn’t just lie in its physical heritage, i.e. landscape and historic sights, but also in its intangible heritage of “Rhine Romanticism”, which is evident in the region’s art, literature, music and architecture. It is all to easy to dismiss this term as kitschy, as something relegated to tourist souvenir shops. But the “Romanticism” taking place in the Rhine Valley during the 18th/19th centuries has to be seen against the backdrop of industrialisation and all its associated consequences. Napoleon’s occupation of areas on the left of the Rhine evoked a romanticising of the pre-revolutionary past and the Middle Ages. Perceived as rugged and unspoilt, the Rhine and Mosel landscape, with it rich cultural and historical heritage, embodied a seemingly untainted world. It’s exactly this Rhine Romanticism that manifests itself at Stolzenfels Castle. The castle in its present form owes its appearance to the Prussian crown prince and later king Frederick William IV. He had the castle built in the spirit of the times according to the designs of Karl Friedrich Schinkel, a famous painter and architect of German Romanticism. Stolzenfels is also considered one of the few monuments of 19th-century aristocratic residential culture. It’s well worth seeing!

Koblenz is known for its many squares and lanes, which are perfect for a leisurely wander and a spot of shopping. The old town is a listed heritage zone and covers the area of a Late Antique/Early Medieval fort that once stood here.

The former Electoral Palace (Kurfürstliche Burg) directly on the banks of the Mosel, which was originally a moated castle surrounded by a wide ditch and circular wall. The base of the east tower most likely dates back to Roman times.

The Protestant Florinschurch, the old shopping and dance place, the Schöffenhaus and the Bürresheimer Hof, together form one of the most beautiful building ensembles in the city. Dating back to around 1100, the church originally belonged to a monastery chapter. Today, St. Florin is both an accessible church and a cultural centre: alongside church services, it hosts exhibitions, concerts, organ recitals and the like from mid-May to early October. So, just drop in!

The Münzplatz got its name from the former mint buildings located there (Münze literally meaning coin). Exhibitions by regional artists are regularly held at the historic Haus Metternich.
Where would the "Am Plan” square be without buildings such as the old town commandant headquarters and historic municipal school? The spacious area with outdoor dining would definitely be only half as lovely. While you’re there, take a look at the Liebfrauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), which was the main parish church of Koblenz from the late Middle Ages until the French Revolution. Its beginnings date back to the 5th century. The two onion-shaped domes are visible from quite some distance.

The Basilika St. Kastor is interesting from both an architectural and historical perspective. Consecrated in 836, the collegiate church was a meeting and mediation place for emperors and kings! It is where, for example, the negotiations between the sons of Emperor Louis the Pious took place in 842, which led to the division of the Frankish Empire in the Treaty of Verdun. The building in its present form dates predominantly from the middle of the 12th century. Be sure to stop by the interesting tombs too! In 1991, Pope John Paul II elevated St. Kastor to minor basilica status. This is an honorary title that marks it out as a church of special significance.

In the Blumenhof just behind it, you’ll find a tranquil place with a paradise garden, a flower garden and a sculpture courtyard.

The Ludwig-Museum, which specialises in contemporary art, is housed in the former Teutonic Order commandery near the Deutsches Eck. Read more below. Built in the 13th century, it was the first settlement of the Teutonic Order (Deutscher Orden) in the Rhineland. The Deutsches Eck was actually named after it. Our restaurant tip: Gerhards Genussgesellschaft in the Blumenhof.

Are you interested in all things creative? Then the Kunstgässchen is the perfect place for you. Fancy something sweet? The "Fräulein Diehl" manufactory makes caramel specialities with lots of care and without additives (Firmungstraße 19). Or are spices more your thing? You’ll find them at the "Pfeffersack & Soehne" store on Münzplatz.

Museum Ludwig
Modern art in historic surroundings – a wonderful contrast. At the heart of the collection displayed in this modern museum housed in the Teutonic Order commandery near the Deutsches Eck are contemporary works of French, American and German art created after 1945. As well as featured works by Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst and Man Ray, you can also see the art of Jasper Johns, Willem de Kooning, Robert Rauschenberg, Christian Boltanski, Daniel Buren, Jean Dubuffet, Martial Raysse, Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, François Morellet, Patrick Raynaud and Bernar Venet. As the name suggests, the museum is the result of a donation made by the collector couple Peter and Irene Ludwig in 1992, nearly 30 years ago. Incidentally, The pair chose to be buried at the old church in St. Aldegund along the Mosel.
The Ludwig museum also hosts a series of interesting temporary exhibitions.

Koblenz has a diverse cultural scene including theatre performances, concerts, festivals and events. The state orchestra, the Rheinische Philharmonie, performs over 60 concerts and plays at up to 80 theatre performances every year.

The city’s theatre has its own ensembles for drama, music theatre, ballet and puppet theatre. It was built in 1787 at the request of the Elector of Trier, Clemens Wenzeslaus, and his sister Maria Kunigunde of Saxony as a private theatre in Neo Classical style, matching that of the Electoral Palace.

This didn’t take long to decide!
The Michelin Guide praises the culinary excellence at Schiller’s Manufaktur in Hotel Stein. Mike Schiller creates classic Mediterranean-influenced dishes that you can order à la carte or as a set menu. Dishes to enjoy at home are also available.

Gotthardt’s in the Hotel Fährhaus also shines with a Michelin star. Frank Seyfried delights with Mediterranean-German dishes, served à la carte or as a set menu.

Freshness, cosiness and very special food made from regional ingredients - a little away from the urban hustle and bustle of Koblenz, the Verbene invites you to enjoy the charming Brunnenhof.

Koblenz offers a wide range of accommodation options across all price ranges. You’re sure to find something that suits you!