Reichsburg Cochem, Gothic Revival castle in Cochem, Germany.
Reichsburg Cochem is a hilltop castle in Cochem, Germany, rising above the Moselle on a steep forested slope with towers and residential wings. The structure includes an octagonal tower, vaulted passages, and furnished rooms arranged around an inner courtyard.
The site began as a toll fortress around the year 1000 and later became an imperial holding. After French troops demolished the structure, a Berlin merchant purchased the ruins and commissioned a reconstruction in the 1860s and 1870s.
The name traces back to the imperial castle status granted centuries ago, visible today in heraldic symbols throughout the interior. Visitors see how 19th-century wealthy families reimagined medieval life through elaborate furnishings and decorative schemes.
The castle sits at the top of a steep footpath from the town center, taking about 15 minutes to climb. Tours cover multiple floors and narrow staircases, so comfortable shoes and steady footing help.
A tunnel system runs beneath the town, originally linking the fortress to a nearby monastery over a distance of about one kilometer. This underground passage served as an escape route and supply corridor during sieges.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
