Cultural delight with a view

Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

118 metres above the Rhine, from Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, you have probably the most fantastic view of Koblenz and the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, the second largest preserved fortress in Europe, was built in its present form between 1817 and 1828. Its origins date back to the year 1000.

Picture: Vogel Greif. The impressive cannon, the largest in Europe in its prime, which still reminds us of this century.

From Ehrenbertstein to Ehrenbreitstein

The Conradine Ehrenbert had a castle built around the year 1000, whose name "Ehrenbertstein" became "Ehrenbreitstein" over the course of time. In the 11th century, the castle became the property of the Archbishop of Trier, Poppo, whose successor expanded the complex. In the 12th century, Helfenstein Castle was added to the castle hill, the seat of the later counts. In the 15th century, under Archbishop Richard von Greiffenclau, the castle was expanded into a fortress protected against artillery.

Kanone Vogel Greif im Landesmuseum Koblenz

During the Thirty Years' War, the castle changed hands frequently. In 1797, French troops laid siege to the fortress, but were only able to force a surrender by starvation in 1799. In 1801 they had the fortress blown up. In 1815, after the Congress of Vienna transferred the Rhenish territories of Electorate of Trier to the Kingdom of Prussia, King Frederick William III ordered the expansion of Koblenz into a fortified city, creating one of the largest fortifications in Europe.

Hover above the Rhine for 800 metres until you reach the fortress plateau

The Koblenz Cable Car

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Die Seilbahn Koblenz hinterbeleuchtet von der Sonne mit Rhein im Vordergrund und Festung Ehrenbreitstein im Hintergrund

Alternative:

Take the funicular up to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

Since 2011, the Ehrenbreitstein funicular has connected the former residence Ehrenbreitstein on the right bank of the Rhine with the cultural centre in just under three minutes. The funicular, which is connected to the public transport system, is operated like a lift with a call and start button. All tickets - single, return or combined with the fortress - are available from the ticket machines at the upper and lower stations.

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