June 25 2017 Cochem and back to Luxembourg

Sunday morning started out with a really good breakfast at the hotel. We then drove to the castle in Cochem. The road up to the castle was really small, only one car at a time. Evan was not thrilled about having to navigate those streets. Glad I wasn't driving! After about 1.5 hours at the castle, we drove back to Luxembourg. We took a really nice walk through some forested area of the city, past the skate park and the city provided train for kids. After a long walk we stopped for refreshments while Jude decided to take a dip in the local fountain.

Hotel Rebenhof

This is the hotel we stayed at just outside of Cochem.

Breakfast at Hotel Rebenhof

Hotel Rebenhof

Cochem Castle

HISTORY OF COCHEM CASTLE

It is generally assumed that Cochem Castle was built around the year 1000 by the palatinate count Ezzo, son and successor to palatinate count Hermann Pusilius. The castle was first mentioned in a document in 1051 when Richeza, Ezzo's oldest daughter and former Queen of Poland, gave the castle to her nephew palatine count Henry I. Even when Ezzo's family ceased to be palatinate counts, Cochem remained connected to the title of the palatinate counts. Years later, in 1151, king Konrad III put an end to a dispute concerning the succession by occupying the castle with troupes. Like this, he finally took control of the castle, which became an imperial fiefdom. Thus, Cochem became an imperial castle in the time when the Staufer dynasty reigned in Germany. From this time on, imperial ministers - with the title of "Lord of the castle" - were installed to administer the castle and the surrounding properties.

View from the top of Cochem Castle

Blaine & Friend

Jeri & Friend

Morning hike

This was on our hike at the bottom of the city.

Grandma and Jude having fun.

More fun on the train

Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

Place d'Armes

Jeri & Jess relaxing with some refreshments in the Place d'Armes square

Jude in the fountain

Jess watching Jude romp in the fountain.