Reichsburg Cochem

About the museum

According to tradition, the castle on the hill above Cochem was built around the year 1000 under Ezzo, Count Palatine of Lotharingia. It is first documented in 1051, when his daughter Richeza, formerly Queen of Poland, transferred it to her nephew. In 1151 King Conrad III seized it as an imperial fief and had it administered by burgraves – hence the name Reichsburg (imperial castle). It later passed to the archbishops and electors of Trier; in the 14th century Archbishop Balduin linked the castle and town with walls, and a chain below the castle could be used to block the Moselle.

During the Nine Years' War (War of the Palatine Succession), French troops occupied the castle and town. In May 1689 the complex was set on fire and blown up, and it then remained a ruin for almost two centuries. In 1868 Louis Ravené, a Berlin hardware wholesaler and Kommerzienrat (an honorary title for businessmen), bought the remains from the Prussian state for a token price, on condition that he rebuild it faithfully to history and make the castle partly accessible to the public. Following plans by Hermann Ende and Julius Carl Raschdorff, a Gothic Revival castle incorporating the surviving late Gothic walls was completed by 1877; the colorful interior paintings were designed by the Berlin painter Ernst Ewald.

The Ravené family used the castle as a summer residence until it was sold to the German Reich during World War II. Since 1978 it has belonged to the town of Cochem and is operated by Reichsburg Cochem GmbH, whose proceeds go toward its upkeep and restoration. Visitors see the interiors on tours of around 40 minutes; knights' banquets, costumed tours, a medieval castle festival and the castle Christmas event round out the program.

Highlights

• Striking silhouette with a keep more than 100 meters above the Moselle
• Knights' Hall, Neo-Renaissance dining hall, hunting room and ladies' chamber on the castle tour
• Panoramic terrace of the castle tavern with views over Cochem and the Moselle valley
• Knights' banquet “Gasterey nach Art der alten Rittersleut” with a knighting ceremony in the castle cellar
• Civil weddings in the former castle chapel
• Medieval castle festival in August and castle Christmas during Advent

Permanent exhibitions

• Burgführung durch die historischen Innenräume – The tour of about 40 minutes shows the rooms furnished in the 19th century, including the Knights' Hall, dining hall, hunting room, ladies' chamber and armory. Tours in German and roughly every hour in English, with free translated texts in twelve languages; audio tours only for registered groups.

Operated by

Reichsburg Cochem GmbH (Stadt Cochem)

Director

Oliver Pinzer

Admission & discounts

Prices valid since January 1, 2025, unchanged for 2026; tour included in admission, regular castle tours without advance booking. Knights' banquet “Gasterey nach Art der alten Rittersleut” (approx. 4 hours, usually Saturdays at 18:00, including castle tour, a cup of wine and a stoneware mug, advance booking required) €64 for adults and teens, €32 for children aged 6 to 12. Special tours (costumed tour, servants' tour, lantern tour, medieval rally), knights' banquets and the winter program via the online shop.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Accessible only as far as the main gate. Stairs are unavoidable during the tour (30 steps up to the first floor, 15 steps down a narrow spiral staircase, 10 steps via a balustrade), so a visit with a wheelchair or rollator is not possible. Inner courtyards with gravel and cobblestones. The footpath from town has no steps but is very steep; the shuttle bus stops 150–200 m below the castle. For guests with severely limited mobility, a taxi up to the castle is recommended. Dogs on a leash may join the tours.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's tours for ages 4 to 10 (approx. 40 min) and an interactive children's tour where kids can touch and try on armor and weapons (approx. 75 min), for groups by advance booking; medieval rally for ages 6 to 10 (approx. 75 min), also bookable as a children's birthday party. Strollers are allowed but must stay behind the main gate during the tour; the castle hill is steep. Family ticket.

Getting there & parking

Taxis may drive all the way up to the castle (recommended for guests with severely limited mobility). Bicycle parking below the castle; the last 150 m cannot be ridden.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Castle tavern with indoor seating and a covered panoramic terrace: hot and cold dishes, cakes, specialty coffees and regional wines; dogs allowed. Souvenir shop at the castle.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil weddings in the decorated former castle chapel in cooperation with the Cochem registry office (2026: March 21 – November 14; 2027: March 20 – November 13), flat fee €475 plus registry office fee, stay max. 1.5 hours; extras such as a sparkling wine reception, a tour or “elevation to the nobility.” For the wedding reception itself, the Kulturzentrum Kapuzinerkloster is recommended. The Ritter-Gasterey in the castle cellar can be booked for groups, company events and Christmas parties (inquiry form).

Plan your visit