Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

A fortification has stood on this rock since the eleventh century, and the archbishops of Trier held it for centuries. French forces demolished it in 1801, and Prussia rebuilt it between 1817 and 1828 on a far larger scale as part of the fortification of the Rhine, producing the complex that stands now: casemates, batteries and terraces covering a large area a hundred metres above the water. It was never attacked. It now holds the Landesmuseum Koblenz with archaeology, photography and wine-making displays, and its terraces give the standard view over the confluence and the city.

Background

The fortress stands on the Rhine's east bank, facing the mouth of the Moselle, on a hill whose top is 118 metres above the river. People first settled the hill in the 4th millennium BC. Around 1000 a noble named Ehrenbert, or Erembert, built a castle here. A document of 1139 records it as belonging to the Archbishop of Trier, and Archbishop Hillin enlarged it in 1152-1169. From 1657 to 1794 it kept the Holy Tunic, the most precious relic of the Trier See. Around 1730 Balthasar Neumann added a third ring of works, and since 2002 the site has been part of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage Site.

Source: Wikipedia, "Ehrenbreitstein Fortress"

What's there

• The Prussian works - a fortress rebuilt 1817 to 1828 on a vast scale.
• The terrace view - the Rhine, Moselle and confluence from a hundred metres up.
• The Landesmuseum - archaeology, photography and wine collections inside.
• The casemates - vaulted defensive chambers through the structure.

When to go

April to October; the fortress is open year-round with shorter winter hours. The cable car is the easiest access and closes in wind and for maintenance.

Good to know

The site is very large with long walks between areas. Little pre-1800 fabric survives. Cable car closures mean a long drive or steep walk instead.

Nearby

Koblenz lies across the river; the Rhine gorge runs south.

Key facts