The Ehrenbreitstein fortress is a fortress built in the 16th century that is located at the mouth of the Moselle river opposite of the city of Koblenz in the Middle Rhine Valley in the Federal Republic of Germany.
The fortress, “Rhens Gibraltar”, is located on a hill, to the west, south and southeast cross-steep cliff 118 m above the river. The main bracket is casemattered on several floors, and strong works have been erected to the south, north and northeast.
The baroque building, built from a castle from the year 1000, was the temporary residence of the electing barons of Trier. In 1801 it was dismantled by French troops. Between 1817 and 1826 it was rebuilt under the direction of Prussian engineer Carl Schnitzler. It was part of a military system of forts in the city of Koblenz, called Festung Koblenz. He was employed by the Prussian army until 1918 to protect the Upper Valley of the Middle Rhine.
Today The fortress is open to visitors. It is connected to the town of Koblenz via the Rhine via cable car and by a sloping elevator to the foot of the hill. Ehrenbrightstein has several museums: the House of Photography , the House of Archeology and the Landesmuse Koblenz (temporary exhibitions). There is also Haus de Genusses, celebrating regional wine production and offering a baroque dining experience. The permanent exhibitions at several sites inside the fortress cover the 5,000-year history of Erenbrittstein. There are also gastronomic facilities. The Koblenz Youth Hotel, with 157 beds, still occupies part of Erenbrittstein. The fortress serves as a venue for various cultural activities, such as concerts and outdoor plays.
Access : Coordinates: / by bus and train :
Bus to the stop “Festungsaufzug – Jugendherberge” (lines 9 and 10, continue with inclined elevator) or “Ehrenbreitstein Bahnhof” (line 8, approx. 10 minutes walk, continue with inclined elevator).
Train to “Koblenz-Ehrenbreitstein” station (approx. 10 minutes on foot, continue with inclined elevator – by car
Address for navigation devices: Greiffenklaustrasse, 56077 Koblenz.
Limited, paid parking spaces directly at the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress – on foot
The Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is located on the “Rheinsteig” long-distance hiking trail. – cable car
Float over the Rhine from the valley station of the cable car in the Rheinanlagen (Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer, 56068 Koblenz), then to the “Entree” fortress entrance. / with the inclined elevator.
From the valley station of the inclined elevator in the Ehrenbreitstein district (in front of the Sauerwassertor, 56077 Koblenz) to the fortress entrance “Inclined elevator – youth hostel”.
Highlights :
- Grand cannon „Greif“ : One of the largest cannons from the 16th century: nine tons
heavy and over five meters long. After an eventful history, the cannon finally returned to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress in 1984 as part of the Franco-German reconciliation. - Four of the detention cells have been open to visitors since April 15, 2011 as part of the “Road to the Fortress History”. In addition, as early as 1863, two cells for strict arrest had been installed in the right casemate of the trench gate. These were under the supervision of the trench gate guard, which was constantly manned as a garrison guard.
- Since 1956, it is home to the Landesmuseum Koblenz Museum, as well as other cultural attractions
- In 2011, the fortress received the Bundesgartenschau (BUGA), which is Germany’s largest gardening show. Due to the difficulty of access to the fortress a cable car connecting the fortress to the center was built. Such a cable car should have been temporary but proved to be quite useful and remains to this day.
- In 2002 the Upper Middle Rhine Valley became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site includes it as the northernmost point of the Erenbritstein Fortress.
- View from the upper courtyard : Enjoy the spectacular view of the Deutsches Eck, the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel, over to the Eifel and Hunsruck, into the Neuwieder Becken.
- flag tower : If you want to go high up, you can visit the flag tower. It is the highest accessible place in Koblenz and shows a unique view of the entire fortress, Koblenz, the Moselle and the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley.
facilities and services : Restaurant Casino (Oberer Schlosshof) with outdoor dining / Beer garden / Kiosk / Wine economy / Cafe / The Koblenz Youth Hostel is located in the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress / Fortress Cultural Center / Cash register & fortress shop
Information pavilion / Offers for foreign-language guests / Photo & film / dogs /
Rollator and wheelchair rental / changing facilities / Lockers / Weddings, meetings & celebrations / E bike -E-Car
opening hours : April – October 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. / 6 p.m. – midnight. free access to premises and restaurants. November – March 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. / 5 p.m. – midnight. free access to premises and restaurants.
Combined ticket fortress entrance & cable car ride : default : Adults: € 14.80 , Group adults (from 20 people): € 12.60, Adults reduced : € 13.40 , Schoolchildren, students, trainees : € 8.20 , Children : € 6.60 , Children and school groups : € 5.50 , Bicycle transport: + € 2.50 , Dogs: + € 2.50
Events : The fortress hosts various events such as the Horizon World Culture Festival, the Rhein in Flamen Fireworks Event, as well as the Gauklerfest International Street Artists Festival.
Activities : sightseeing / photo opportunities / trekking , The Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is located on the “Rheinsteig” long-distance hiking trail/ Fortress catering & overnight stays : Restaurant Casino with outdoor dining:
Prussian cuisine interpreted in a modern way on the premises of the former officers’ casino with a fabulous view over the German corner and the whole of Koblenz.
Go next : Koblenz : a city in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in the Middle Rhine Valley in the Federal Republic of Germany.
