Kobern
Kobern is a nice little village located close to the end of the river Mosel, where the valley is very steep and lined with terrasses that are planted with vines. In the village one can find many fine tudor houses, especially around the market place. Here one can also find a fountain with a snake like monster symbolising the meandering flow of the river Mosel. Right off the market place one can visit one of the oldest tudor houses in Germany: Abteihof St. Marien built 1320/21 located at Kirchstraße 1, which also houses the tourist information center. To visit the castle ruins of the two castles Ober- and Niederburg, one can hike up the mountain between the vineyards along a pilgrimage path lined with 14 stations of the suffering of Christ. Part of the Oberburg is the Matthiaskapelle, a chapel built in 1235. In the adjacent village of Gondorf the highway along the Mosel passes through the castle of the Dukes von Leyen, which is the only castle at the waterfront along the Mosel.
More information: Tourist office Kobern.
Tourist office Kobern | Kirchstraße 1 | 56330 Kobern-Gondorf | Germany | TEL +49 (0) 2607 1055
Points of interest
Abteihof »St. Marien«
One of the oldest Tudor style houses in Germany, Abteihof "St. Marien" built 1320/21 is located at Kirchstraße 1 and hosts the Tourist Information.
Matthiaskapelle
Matthiaskapelle (St. Matthew's Chapel) built in the 13th century is a very impressive sextagonal structure, a smaller replica of the Grabeskirche (Graves Church) in Jerusalem. The chapel used to host the head of the apostel Matthew, a relique which was brought to Kobern during the crussades and later was transferred to Trier
Schloß Liebig
The castle in Gondorf was built in the 13th century by the Dukes of Leyen. During the 19. century, the castle was transformed into a mansion and was aquired by the von Liebig family.
Ober- and Niederburg
The Oberburg (upper castle) was built in 1195. Today only the romanic Bergfried and the Matthiaskapelle are still standing. It now hosts a fine restaurant (see below). The Niederburg (lower castle) was renovated in the 16th century but only ruins remain allowing for a wonderful view of the valley below.
Photovoltaik-Anlage
Kobern also hosts the largest Photovoltaik-facility in Europe. The facility is open for tours where one can explore the technology of using solar energy for the production of electricity.