Burgruine Niederburg

The Niederburg rises at a height of about 150 m on a ridge protruding towards the Moselle above the village of Kobern. On the same ridge, about 50 m higher, lies the Oberburg Kobern with Matthias Chapel. However, the lower castle was built without building permission in the middle of the 12th century. The imperial knight Gerlach I of Cobern-Isenburg had the castle built. However, the building project at that time was not approved by Archbishop Johann of Trier in about 1190. The upper castle (or Aldenburg) already existed at that time, but was outdated in terms of its actual purpose, that of defense, Gerlach found. And so he decided to build the lower castle according to the then state of the art of castle building with defense zones. The entire complex was besieged, rebuilt and extended several times in the course of time. The tower, the so-called keep, is already visible from afar. Parts of bay windows, living quarters and niches are also still preserved. The castle has an almond-shaped ground plan. It was built on the remains of a late Roman fortification before it was destroyed by French troops of Louis XIV in 1688 during the Palatinate War of Succession. From the Niederburg there is a magnificent view of the roofs of the village and the low-lying Moselle valley. The castle complex is accessible all year round and can be visited free of charge. The ascent to the castle is via a narrow footpath from the Mühlbach valley. In addition, the hiking trails "Traumpfad Koberner Burgpfad", theme trail Tatzelwurmweg as well as the Moselsteig stage 23 lead past the ruin.  An interesting climb, opposite the cemetery, entrance from the mill valley leads through the vineyard and over a ladder on the castle wall into the ruin.

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