Cochem #Castle is open to visitors these days and is a hotspot for #tourism along the #Mosel River. Inside you can see the painting on the main tower closeup: It was added to the tower in 1870 and shows #Saint #Christopher as the #patron saint of travelers, which makes sense considering most castles were used to collect tolls from passing merchants for safe passage.
The Imperial #Castle of #Cochem was built in the 11th #century and towers over part of the #Mosel #River valley, with large #wineyards and beautiful quaint towns along the river. It is one of the largest castles along the Mosel and was the center point of decades of war of succession while in the hands of the #princes of #Trier in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is well maintained these days and a highlight for many tourists.
Next one on the list is the #beautiful #Burg #Reichenstein (“rich stone”), overseeing the #Rhine #River valley with its lavish #wineyards. This #castle is part of the #UNESCO World Heritage effort – it was built around 1100 AD, though it’s still unclear by whom. All that is known about its history is that throughout the centuries it was housed and used to collect tolls from travelers and merchants passing through by various high ranking families until it was finally given to the #archbishop of Mainz.
The last one for #Castle #Neuschwanstein – Once you see the #view of the surrounding area from Castle Neuschwanstein (New Schwanstein) you’ll understand why #King #Ludwig was so keen on building this castle right there – with a view across the #Bavarian Alps, the lake #Alpsee and the old castle of #Hohenschwangau.
Andreas Steffelmaier Photography 