|
Koblenz at the confluence of Moselle and Rhine
Koblenz, lies where the Rhine and the Moselle river flow into each other, and
its name is derived from the Latin "confluentes flumines" (=joining rivers).
In 1992 this city celebrated its 2000th anniversary. Its settlement history
however dates far further back, supported by findings from the Stone Age around
the city area even before 200 BC. Similar findings are dated to the Bronze
(2000-800 BC) and Iron Age (800-50 BC). Indeed, Koblenz is very well situated
at the southern end of the Neuwied Bay, where the narrow Rhine valley opens
into a vast area of fertile lowland. When the Gauls were conquered by
Roman
troops under Caesar (58-51 BC) the
Celtic
tribe of the Treverers lived at the Middle Rhine and Moselle. They had
a very sophisticated tax and finance system, with economic systems based on
labour division and a variety of craftsmanships. In contrast to the adjacent
Hunsrück they had much fertile ground, which was good for agriculture. Whilst
the occupation by Roman troops (often enforced in a violent and bloody manner)
caused frequent riots, Koblenz nevertheless entered an era of economic growth
and prosperity. Despite initial hesitance and a period of necessary consolidation
the Roman settlement was firmly established at the start of the 1st century
AD. This resulted in the building of the Mosel bridge and the first bridge
to cross the Rhine in 49 AD. The well constructed secure street connections
over the Hunsrück to Mainz,
Trier
and Cologne resulted in enormous economic growth, further encouraged by the
erection of the Limes. The Roman Occupation only ended in 402 AD with the
conquest of the region by the Alemanni and Franconians, and with the retreat
of Roman troops from the Koblenz Fort. This led to a major crisis which lasted
for centuries, and was only resolved in the High Middle Age, with the elevation
of Koblenz to Federal city of the Electorate of Trier. A market place was
built and building works continued establishing Koblenz as a city for shipping
trade of mass production. In this way the city developed into an important
economic location, and its growth continues up to the present day. Koblenz,
with the massive fortress Ehrenbreitstein on the right bank of the Rhine,
is the gateway to the Hunsrück, Eifel and Westerwald areas. The Deutsche
Eck, where the Moselle flows into the Rhine, goes back to a German order
that settled there in the early 13th century. There is a monument to Kaiser
Wilhelm I to remind us of the era of the Prussian totalitarian state in German
history. There was a longstanding debate about whether or not the statue of
the horseman, which was destroyed in World War II, should be restored. A private
foundation wished to do this and finally, in 1993, the monument was unveiled
at the German Corner during a public celebration complete with rock music
(instead of marching music and cannon fire). The same patron and art historian
is also responsible for the Ludwig Museum of French modern art with
its changing exhibitions of current French art at the historical "Deutschherrenhaus".
This city was moulded by European history and culture and a walk across the
Balduin bridge to the other side of the Moselle with its view of the old city
and the Fort Ehrenbreitstein on the other side of the Rhine is well worth
taking. The Balduin bridge was completed in 1363 and 11 of its 20 original
arches still remain. The "old castle" (1277) stands close to the bridge Now
the city library it used to be a residence for the Elector. From here the
path leads through the Florins market with its late gothic "old shopping
mall", the historic "Schöffenhaus", the "Nürresheimer Hof" and the monastery
Church of St. Florin (dating from 1100) to the Liebfrauen City Parish Church
(first mentioned in 1277). This city Parish Church is located on the highest
point of the old city, and its foundations go back to the 5th and 6th centuries.
However, the current form of the building dates from the second half of the
12th century. The oldest church is the former monastery Church and Basilica
St. Castor, a three-nave hall church with two massive west towers started
in 817 and sanctified 19 years later. Other worthwhile diversions are to the
New Castle (1777-1787) and a boat ride over to the elector's residence below
the fortress Ehrenbreitstein on the other side of the Rhine. The Beethoven
family home is also located here.
|
|
Literature
Ingrid Batori (Hrsg): Geschichte der Stadt Koblenz. Verlag Konrad Theiss, Stuttgart 1992
Directly next to the Balduin Bridge is the "Old Castle" dating from 1277, a
former electoral residence, which today houses the municipal library.
|
|