Reichsburg Cochem is the fairy-tale castle that defines the Moselle Valley — a dramatic hilltop fortress perched high above the winding river and the storybook town of Cochem, Germany. Rebuilt in the 19th century in the neo-Gothic style, it’s one of the most visually striking castles on the Moselle and a must-see for anyone cruising or driving this world-famous wine region.

Quick Facts

• Best time to visit: April–October (guided tours only); December for the Christmas market in Cochem below
• Top attraction: The Knight’s Hall, the mosaic-decorated dining room, and the panoramic Moselle views from the tower
• How to get there: ~1.5 hours from Frankfurt by car; Cochem has a train station on the Koblenz–Trier line; a steep 15-minute walk or shuttle bus from the town centre
• Tour cost: ~€7 (adult); tours in English and German
• Best photo spot: From the Moselle riverbank in Cochem’s Altstadt at sunset

The Castle’s Fascinating History

Originally built around the year 1000, Reichsburg Cochem was destroyed by Louis XIV’s troops in 1689 — along with most castles in the Palatinate — and lay in ruins for nearly 200 years. Berlin businessman Louis Ravené purchased and rebuilt it between 1868 and 1877, creating the romantic neo-Gothic masterpiece we see today, complete with pointed towers, decorative turrets, and lavish period interiors furnished with Renaissance and Baroque furniture.

The castle tour showcases the Rittersaal (Knight’s Hall) with its impressive coffered ceiling, the tapestry-lined dining room, and the hunting room decorated with antlers. From the tower, the 360° view encompasses the entire Moselle River bend, Cochem’s half-timbered houses, and the vineyards climbing the valley sides.

Pro tip: Visit during the late summer grape harvest to see the Moselle Valley at its most beautiful, and pair your castle visit with a wine tasting at one of Cochem’s many Weinstuben.

Cochem is a little town located on the lower reaches of the River Mosel and also a renowned wine region. The most famous is, of course, the Moselle Rieslings.

Reichsburg castle which is a landmark of Cochem and of the region is over a thousand years old. Well, the original building was built around a year of 1000, but it was destroyed during the French siege in 1689. From 1868 to 1877 it was completely reconstructed and since then it is the most visited monument in the valley of the River Mosel. Reichsburg castle is located about 50 km from the city of Koblenz.

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