Castle History

Rising high over the Moselle Valley, Reichsburg Castle has watched over Cochem for nearly a thousand years. The earliest record of the stronghold dates back to 1130, when it served as a toll station and power base for the Palatinate counts. Its strategic position made it a valuable asset during medieval disputes among regional rulers. Throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, it changed hands multiple times through both conflict and inheritance. A devastating attack by French troops under Louis XIV in 1689 left the fortress in ruins for nearly two centuries. The burned shell stood as a reminder of the Nine Years' War and the turmoil of the era. In the 19th century, a wealthy Berlin businessman named Louis Fréderic Jacques Ravené purchased the ruins. He began an ambitious reconstruction project in 1868, inspired by romantic neo-Gothic and historicist styles. The restoration transformed the crumbling medieval castle into a fairy-tale residence reminiscent of the period's idealized vision of the Middle Ages. Many of the interiors were richly furnished to reflect Renaissance tastes. Although largely rebuilt, the fortress incorporates original foundations and surviving sections from its medieval past. The surrounding vineyards and river views have made it one of the most photographed landmarks in the region. Toady, Reichsburg Castle is owned by the town of Cochem and welcomes visitors to explore its halls and battlements. The revived stronghold stands as a vivid blend of authentic history and 19th-century romantic imagination.