Mainz, Cochem and Koblenz
We headed up to Koblenz with a quick stop in Mainz for Brunch. It is known for it’s old town (Altstadt), medieval market squares and the Gutenberg Museum (the chap that invented the printing press, if you didn’t know).
Pink is either their favourite colour here, or there was an oversupply at some point and they were getting rid of it cheap.
Above: Fastnachtsbrunnen Fountain (The Carnival Fountain) a mere 53 years old but an integral part of the cityscape. With over 200 figures from Fastnacht and mythology, apparently it’s symbolic of Mainz zest for life.
One of the main reasons for heading up this way was to come to Cochem on the Moselle River (near France). Possibly the most quaint, beautiful town I’ve been to yet. Needless to say, we’re in wine country and there are vineyards everywhere, mainly clinging to the sides of mountains.
Reichsburg (the big castle) situated on a precipitous rock high above the town, dominates the landscape and gives Cochem it’s fairytale feel.
Took a boat ride down the Moselle with a glass of bubbles and Sex on the Beach 😉
Koblenz (below) is situated on both banks of the Rhine where it is joined by the Moselle River (hence it’s name which is derived from the Roman for “confluence”). Took a cable car ride down to the city – fortunately no panic like there was on the ferris wheel in Dresden – even though it was a much more thrilling ride!
Below: A statue of William I, the first German Emperor. It stands on the Deutsches Eck – the name of the headland where the two rivers meet. The statue was destroyed in WW II and rebuilt under some controversy in 1993.
Most definitely in wine country now and we had planned to have lunch at a winery one day (seeing as I can’t do a wine tasting given I’m the continual designated driver) – only to find that they don’t have restaurants at wineries!!! (or not at the dozen or so I checked). I can tell you though that I have had nothing but yummy wine and bubbles since entering Germany, Rose, pinot grigio and even Riesling – all good!
Bet you didn’t know …
MM
William’s illegitimate daughter, raised by the Kroll family emigrated with her husband to Sydney, Australia in 1849. They had three sons and two daughters.
6 Comments
Barb
Your trip continues to amaze. The vibrancy through photography is wonderful. Great trips and anecdotes ladies 🥰
Diane Cooper
I don’t think I’ve ever seen much of the German countryside – it’s just beautiful and I think will have to go on our bucket list!
Audrey
You two are amazing at how quickly you fly through the countryside! I love the pink painted buildings and fairy tale castles, as well as Sandy’s big tick of approval for German wines 🙂 And no, I didn’t know the little known fact about William’s illegitimate daughter. Look forward to the next installment!
Lynda
It’s just beautiful.
Tom
Quick comment on Gutenberg: an argument can be made, that Gutenbergs invention of the printing press was the gateway to the “modern” world, if you will, where information and knowledge could be spread quickly, cheaply and efficiently. Of course it started with the bible, since there were few other printed works out there, but in the grander scheme of things, without him the world would have needed a fair bit longer to become more emancipated and knowledgeable. There is a great book on this concept: The Gutenberg Galaxy, by Marshall McLuhan.
Sandy
Maybe if he hadn’t printed the bible, Christianity would have died out by now?
Another fun fact – Metal movable type was used in Korea (to create the “Jikji) in 1377, some 75 years before Gutenberg began churning out his bibles in Mainz 😊