A Magical Day of Castles on the Rhine

This chilly morning we donned multiple layers of warm clothes and made our way to the sun deck. The forecast was cold and rain, but fortified with blankets and steaming hot chocolate with rum (yum !) we settled in for the most beautiful 40-mile stretch of the Middle Rhine between Bingen and Koblenz.

Much to our delight, the weather cooperated and starting out with a rainbow, we were rewarded with a fairytale -like sail past terraced vineyards on steep hillsides dotted with views of 30-some castles, each more picturesque than the last.

Here are some of our favorite sights along the way.

Our beautiful morning sail ended at Deutsches Eck, the “German Corner” in Koblenz where we disembarked for a leisurely stroll around this picturesque town.

Koblenz is home to more beautiful churches, most notably the Basilica of St. Kastor, its oldest church.

The landmarks around Koblenz have an almost whimsical flair. One is a statue/fountain of a young boy who spits water on unsuspecting passers-by every three minutes. It was built in 1941 to celebrate the joy of life.

Another Koblenz landmark is a large bronze thumb emerging from the ground in front of the Museum of Modern Art. Ki

The ‘Cat Lady of Koblenz” was a well-known person in 1930s Koblenz as she made her way around town selling peppermints to the gents heading home after a night of drinking beer. The men would buy the mints to sweeten their breath, and Annemarie would use the cash to feed homeless dogs and cats. A statue was erected in her honor upon her death in 1940. The idea was to recognize the well -known, not necessarily the famous.

Another quirky landmark is the clock tower on the old city hall. The image below the clock represents a 16th century convicted robber who was beheaded in 1563. His watchful eyes go back and forth to mark seconds. Every 15 minutes people gather to watch him stick out his tongue…once at the quarter hour, twice at half, three times at three-quarters, and four times on the hour. It is said that parents show the face to their kids to deter bad behavior.

Koblenz is a charming town that appeals to my sense of humor. It’s also a city steeped in the history and influence of Ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, and the Napoleonic eras as well as more recent history, as noted in the pieces from the Berlin Wall that adorn a local park.

The people of Koblenz are working hard to make their city attractive to tourists. Public art plays an important part in this renewal, and from our perspective they’re doing a great job.