Germany: Koblenz and its history

Koblenz is a German city, the third largest in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. About 110 thousand people live here. The city is over 2000 years old, which makes it one of the oldest in Germany. His name comes from the Latin concept of Confluentes, meaning "merging". So it was named because of its location - on the territory of the connection of the rivers - the Rhine and the Moselle.

History

At first it was a fortified camp, which was founded by the famous Roman commander Germanicus. But then the Romans built on this place a strong fortress with 19 towers.

In the fifth century, the city became part of the state of the Franks, the largest and most powerful kingdom in Europe, uniting virtually the entire territory of today's France and Germany. The city already had a royal palace, and after the adoption of Christianity by the Franks, the first churches were built.

Koblenz: attractions

The basilica of St. Castor is the main city temple, founded in 836. The remains of the monk of St. Castor were brought to the built temple in 837, and since that time the saint has been called the patron of the city. The basilica was often completed and rebuilt - at first it was a Romanesque basilica, then a classical cathedral in the Gothic style. Completely it was completed by the middle of the XV century. In the XX century, the temple was destroyed, during the Second World War. The current building is a historical reconstruction reconstructed in the postwar period.

In the 14th century, a bridge across the Moselle was built in the city, which today became another landmark. Stone bridge, built in the XIV century, perfectly preserved to this day.

Another interesting attraction is the stone fountain, set here by Napoleon in honor of the future victory over Russia. Victory did not happen, but the fountain remained.

The Rhine and the Moselle at the confluence point form an acute angle, a spit called the "German Corner" or "German Triangle". This is the most important and most popular place in the city, it is a pointed triangular ledge of the embankment, adorned with the majestic statue of William the First on horseback, the emperor of the united Germany.

In 1945 the statue was destroyed. After the end of the war, this place symbolized the rebirth of Germany: there was a memorial sign surrounded by the flags of all regions of Germany, and only by 1993 the monument to Wilhelm was completely restored. Today it is also a cultural monument, included in the UNESCO list.

Another noteworthy place is the fortress Ehrenbreitstein, built in the X century. By the nineteenth century, the building of the fortress was almost completely rebuilt, and until the creation of modern heavy artillery it was one of the most powerful superstructures in Europe. Today there is a museum that tells about the history of the region.

Tourists should visit a large private museum dedicated to the famous composer Beethoven. Germany, Koblenz is the motherland of his mother, here is the house where she was born. The museum has a rich exposition, and the interiors of the mid-18th century, with which Germany is so rich, have been completely restored. Koblenz is a city with a lot of attractions, which are obligatory for viewing and visiting. However, this can be said about every city in this country.

Modern Germany

Koblenz is one of the important centers of tourism in the west of the country. The main building is executed in the baroque style: the city was almost completely rebuilt after a severe Thirty Years' War of the XVII century, and then reconstructed again after the Second World War. But it has Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque churches, an old university building.

In the city there are many ridiculous monuments. For example, the fountain "Joker" - a bronze figure, every couple of minutes spitting water.

Many river routes along the Rhine depart from Koblenz, on the coast of which many beautiful castles are scattered. The streets are peaceful and cozy, many souvenir stalls, shops, restaurants and bars. It is worth to taste the local wines. The city is located at the junction of two large winemaking regions of Germany.

Conclusion

One of the most interesting countries in Europe is Germany. Koblenz is one of the oldest German cities, worthy of attention of tourists. There are many monuments, attractions and interesting places. A photo shoot against the backdrop of the picturesque views of the city in the Rhineland-Palatinate will take your favorite places in albums and the memory of travelers.