Bernkastel-Kues

Bernkastel-Kues is a twin town on the Moselle riverbank between Trier and Cochem, nestled among steep vineyard slopes at roughly 110 meters elevation. Medieval timber-framed houses cluster around the historic market square on the Bernkastel side while Kues sits on the opposite bank.

The settlement received town rights from King Rudolph of Habsburg in 1291 and developed as a trading post on the river. The merger with Kues on the other side of the Moselle took place in 1905 and united both parts into one municipality.

The market square with its timber-framed buildings serves as a meeting point for wine festivals and markets where local vintners offer their Moselle wines directly from the surrounding vineyards. Narrow lanes around the square lead to small wine taverns where visitors can sample regional specialties and Riesling.

Travelers reach the town via the B53 along the Moselle valley or the E44 towards Wittlich as no direct train connection exists. The steep lanes in the old center are partly cobbled and require solid footwear when exploring the historic district.

The Spitzhäuschen from 1416 shows an inverted construction where the upper floors extend wider than the ground level. This design arose from space-saving needs in the narrow lane and today serves as a popular photo subject.

Location: Bernkastel-Wittlich

Elevation above the sea: 110 m

Shares border with: Platten, Zeltingen-Rachtig

Website: https://bernkastel.de

GPS coordinates: 49.91611,7.06944

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:40