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Fortress · Koblenz, Renânia-Palatinado
Festung Ehrenbreitstein
19th-century Prussian fortress high on the right bank of the Reno, opposite the Deutsches Eck, with walls, courtyards, the Landesmuseum Koblenz and viewpoints over the rivers’ confluence.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Festung Ehrenbreitstein
The Ehrenbreitstein fortress sits on a high rock above the Reno, opposite Koblenz’s centre. The site has been fortified since the Middle Ages, when the archbishops of Trier built a castle there. The fortress seen today was built by Prussia between 1817 and 1828, after the French had demolished the previous one, and is part of a system of forts that protected the city. It was never attacked.
The visit takes you along walls, moats, courtyards and galleries. Inside is the Landesmuseum Koblenz, the state museum, with exhibitions on the fortress’s history, regional photography and wine, as well as the German army memorial. The courtyards host festivals and events in summer, and the restaurant and café are located within the walls.
For many visitors the highlight is the view. From the bastions you can see the whole Deutsches Eck, where the Mosela and the Reno meet, Koblenz’s old town and the valley slopes. The fortress marks the northern tip of the Romantic Rhine Valley, a World Heritage site.
The most common way to reach it is by cable car, which departs next to the basílica de São Castor, crosses the Reno and drops visitors on the plateau beside the fortress. It is also possible to walk up from the Ehrenbreitstein neighbourhood, or drive, with parking on the plateau.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
2 to 4 hours for the walls, viewpoints and the museum.
Best time
On clear days, for the views. In summer the courtyards host more events and the late afternoon is cooler. In winter the cable car and the fortress operate reduced hours; check before you go.
How to get there
By cable car from the station beside the basílica de São Castor, near the Deutsches Eck, in a few-minute crossing over the Reno. On foot via the path that starts in the Ehrenbreitstein neighbourhood on the right bank, with regional trains to Koblenz-Ehrenbreitstein. By car there is parking on the plateau.
Tip
Buy the combined cable car and fortress ticket, which is usually cheaper. Go to the bastion facing the Deutsches Eck for the classic photo of the rivers’ meeting.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Festung Ehrenbreitstein
How to get up to the Ehrenbreitstein fortress?
The most commonly used way is the cable car, which departs next to the basílica de São Castor and crosses the Reno. You can also walk up through the Ehrenbreitstein neighborhood, or drive.
How much time to allow for the fortress?
2 to 4 hours, to walk the walls, see the state museum, and the viewpoints over the Deutsches Eck.
Is the fortress medieval?
No. There was a medieval castle on the site, but the current fortress was built by Prussia between 1817 and 1828.
What is inside the fortress?
The Landesmuseum Koblenz, with exhibitions of history, photography and wine, an army memorial, a restaurant, a café and courtyards that host events in summer.