Explore Koblenz Marxburg | The only undestroyed medieval castle along the Rhine

Koblenz is a historic city in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in western Germany. It is located at the "German Corner" (Deutsches Eck) where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. The ancient Roman city with a history of more than 2,000 years was once a European trade and military fortress. It is now famous for its magnificent river scenery, ancient castles and cultural heritage! Marksburg, located in the small town of Braubach near Koblenz, is the only medieval castle along the Rhine that has not been destroyed by war! First built in the 13th century, it has completely preserved the architecture and life scenes of the Knight Age and can be called a "living fossil". Leaving our previous stop, 🇩🇪Rüdesheim, Germany, as the cruise ship slowly sailed away, the castles on both sides of the river receded like a silent movie, and our next stop, Koblenz, was waiting just ahead! ✅Arrived in Braubach and met Marxburg for the first time After the cruise ship docked at the Koblenz Pier, we took the bus arranged by the cruise ship to the nearby town of Braubach. The quiet town is surrounded by vineyards, and Marxburg stands majestically on the top of the mountain. The gray-white stone walls and spires glow coldly in the sun, instantly bringing people back to the 13th century. ✅Road to the Castle: A "time tunnel" from the foot of the mountain to the sky The bus stopped at the foot of the gentle slope of the small town of Braubach. Looking up at Marxburg on the top of the mountain, I suddenly understood why people in the Middle Ages were obsessed with building castles - this angular gray-white behemoth looked like a stone dragon perched on a 130-meter-high cliff. ✅Inside the castle: a medieval murder scenario brought to life Walking through the heavy oak door, the creaking sound of the iron hinges was like opening a time machine. 1⃣Knight's Hall: Banquet and conspiracy intertwined The stone fire pit in the center of the hall had long been extinguished, but traces of smoke spread from the ceiling to the stone pillars, and it seemed that one could smell the burnt aroma of roasted wild boar. The long wooden table was covered with tin tableware. The tour guide suddenly knocked on the edge of the table and said, "Pay attention to these knives and forks. Commoners in the Middle Ages could only eat with their hands. Only nobles were allowed to use iron utensils. But be careful not to get pricked by the splinters!" The spiral staircase in the corner is only wide enough for one person to pass through, and the stone steps are stepped into a smooth arc. When I was climbing up sideways, my back rubbed against the cold stone wall. The tour guide said quietly from behind: "Back then, the soldiers attacked by sticking to the wall. Maybe the place you touched was stained with blood..." 😂 2⃣Armory: The alternative art of cold weapons The wall of crossbows, swords, and maces glowed coldly under the dim light. The most shocking is a set of 15th century Gothic armor, with rivets all over the joints and only a thin seam left on the helmet. "It's hard to even turn your head when you're wearing this. Knights are often trampled to death by their own people." The tour guide picked up a two-meter-long halberd and said, "Do you know why it's called the 'Swiss halberd'? Because it can cut off a horse's legs directly!" 3⃣Medieval kitchen: high tech and heavy taste The huge fireplace was big enough for three people, and blackened copper pots hung on iron hooks. The tour guide pointed to the stone mill in the corner and said: "The nobles eat white bread, the common people eat rye, but the worst is the miller - he inhales too much dust and will not live past 40." On the wooden shelf was a jar of "medieval seasoning" - moldy salt blocks mixed with unidentified herbs. "You know how they preserve meat? They use the mummy-style shroud technique! Spread salt on it, let it dry, then wrap it in linen, and keep it in the cellar for ten years without going bad... Of course, it tastes terrible." 4⃣Open-air viewing platform: The god-level bend composition of the Rhine River After climbing 57 steep stone steps, you will arrive at an observation deck. The midday sun pierced through the clouds, and the Rhine River seemed to be under a spell - the emerald-colored water turned rapidly under our feet, drawing a perfect Ω-shaped arc, and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress on the opposite bank stood on the cliff like a Lego block. The tour guide handed over a telescope: "Look at the white cruise ship at the river bend. It is crossing the 'Rhine River Photographer's Nightmare' - this bend has caused many people's wide-angle lenses to collapse!" ✅The ultimate secret of the "living" castle Before leaving, I asked the curator a question: "Why did Marxburg escape all the wars?" He pointed to the griffin emblem on the city wall and said: "This is the symbol of the Katzennellenbogen family. They became rich by intermarriage and selling iron ore. Someone wanted to blow it up, but was dissuaded by geologists - the foundation of the castle is a whole piece of basalt, and the consumption of explosives is enough to fight three battles!" Standing at the exit of the castle and looking back, I suddenly found that the outer wall of the tower was covered with vines. The tour guide smiled and said: "That is the wild ivy that was deliberately preserved. It not only prevents rain erosion, but also makes the castle look like it grew out of the cliff. Remember, real monuments do not need to be refurbished into Disneyland. Wrinkles are the medals of history."