Exploring Germany: Reichsburg Cochem, The Road

Discover the magical path to Reichsburg Cochem—one of Germany’s most picturesque hilltop castles. Perched high above the charming town of Cochem, this scenic walk rewards visitors with breathtaking views, fairytale charm, and a journey through time.

Reichsburg Cochem has watched over the Moselle River since around the year 1000. First built by Count Ezzo of the Palatinate, it later became an imperial castle under King Konrad III in the 12th century. In 1689, it was destroyed by French troops during the Nine Years’ War and left in ruins for nearly two centuries. In the 19th century, it was purchased and lovingly restored in romantic neo-Gothic style by Louis Fréderic Jacques Ravené, a wealthy businessman from Berlin.

Today, Reichsburg Cochem is a stunning blend of medieval legacy and 19th-century imagination—a real-life fairytale rising above vineyards, cobbled streets, and the winding Moselle.