The Mosel (from top) joins the Rhine |
Saturday, 3 June. The ship had sailed during the night, and we arrived at Koblenz at 07:00. The city is at the confluence of the Rhine and the Mosel rivers (the “Corner of Germany” or Deutches Eck), and our ship docked a short way up the Mosel. It was a convenient spot, though not as great as the one in Köln. Our walking tour started at 10:00. The day was cool but bright and very pleasant.
Like Köln, more than 90% of old Koblenz was destroyed during World War II, but much has been restored in its original style. We walked past Jesuiten Platz and the Town Hall to Josef Görres Platz, a large square which features the History Column (2000). The Column has ten levels, recounting ten episodes of Koblenz’s 2000-year history, beginning with the Romans. From there we walked back to Jesuiten Platz where an early-18th-century Jesuit college has been converted to the City Hall. In the courtyard behind it is the Spitting Boy (Schängelchen) fountain which intermittently sprays unsuspecting tourists.
Jesuiten Platz | 
Jane at the History Column | 
Spitting Boy Fountain |
We walked a short distance to Am Plan, the central square. Just beyond that was an intersection called Four Corners with very picturesque old buildings. We proceeded down Marktstrasse to Mint Square (Müntzplatz) to see the facade of the Middle Rhine Museum, that has a bronze face with rolling white eyes. From there the guide led us to the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) (12th century, largely rebuilt in 17th century). It had an interesting 11-panel triptych that seemed to be quite modern. The guide then took us to Florinsmarkt, site of St. Florin's Church (12th century). There the guided tour ended.
An interesting oriel | 
Conservative Jews or Argentine cowboys? | 
Our group at Four Corners |
Jane and I walked back to the Frauenkirche. for a better look, stopped at the Tourist Office for a map, visited the church on Jesuiten Platz, and finally went through the Church of St. John the Baptist, which had very modernistic stained glass windows. We got back to the ship just after 11:00. Lunch was moved up to 11:45 because we were going on an optional bus tour to Marksburg Castle at 13:00.
Max & Moritz | 
Triptyk in Frauenkirche | 
Frauenkirche |
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