Marksburg Castle and Koblenz

Marksburg Castle overlooks the town of Braubach and dates back to the 12th century, when it was built to protect the town and to help with the enforcement of tolls on the Rhine.  The castle was never destroyed (a rarity among the Rhine castles) and is open to show castle life and times.

 Views from the castle

 Castle entrance

Artillery was added to the sides of the castle facing the Rhine in the 15th century.

 Cannons

We enter the buildings through the kitchen, proceeding through sleeping quarters to the dining hall.

 Kitchen

 Living areas

 Dining rooms

The castle armory contains weapons and a history of armor used by the knights of the castle through the ages.

 Weapons and armor

From the castle, we return to Koblenz, where the ship is docked at a tree-filled park, and wander through the city.  Koblenz is located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Rhine Rivers and was originally a Roman military post established around 8 BC.  The joining of the two rivers is now known as the "German Corner" and is a symbol of the unification of Germany.

 Streets of Koblenz

The German Corner

The streets, plazas, and parks of Koblenz are full of sculpture, fountains, and other art, beautifying the city and delighting those of us who walk through it.

 Art in the streets and parks of Koblenz

What a charming little town!