Reichsburg Cochem

Reichsburg Cochem sits high above the town on a wooded hill overlooking a tight loop of the Moselle, its silhouette of turrets and steep roofs the result of a 1860s neo-Gothic rebuilding after French troops under Louis XIV blew up the original medieval castle in 1689. The guided tour, the only way to see the interior, moves through the great hall with its carved wooden ceiling, a formal dining room, the kitchen, and an armory displaying weapons and armor, all furnished in a 19th-century interpretation of medieval style rather than an archaeological reconstruction. The terrace and upper windows give sweeping views down over the red rooftops of Cochem and the vineyard-lined bend of the Moselle below, among the better photo vantage points in the entire valley. Reaching the castle involves an uphill walk of about 20 minutes from central Cochem, or a seasonal shuttle bus from the market square for those who prefer not to climb. The guided tour itself runs about 40 minutes, and with the walk up and down, a full visit takes 1 to 1.5 hours. Because Cochem is a regular stop for Moselle river cruises, mid-morning to early afternoon can bring a wave of coach and cruise-ship groups; visitors touring earlier avoid the busiest crowds. The castle courtyard and terrace are the best spots for photographs, both of the building itself and of the river view beyond.