Day 5 Cochem, Germany

 Sunday, Sept 22, 2024 - Cochem , Germany

Cochem Germany is a charming picturesque town of 2,500 in the city proper and 5,000 for the outlying areas. Cochem was first settled by Celts and then later by Romans.  Riesling grapes are harvested by hand on steep slopes and while WW2 saw the loss of thousands of lives in the town, and all but 4 houses, Cochem has rebuilt itself and welcomed tourism to support its local businesses and allowing people to work in town rather than traveling 50KM to the next major city.  From May-Oct it closes its roads from 11AM-6PM from vehicular traffic allowing tourists to flood the villages, eat in the cafes, enjoy the street music and buy from the local shops.  The lively market square boasts fountains, timber framed houses, and a bay-windowed city hall.

 Perched on top of a hilltop above the city the imperial castle is a signature landmark. In 1689 the troops of Louis XIV razed the castle to the ground.  Later restored in 1866 by a private family, local folklore states it was purchased for 4,000 euros after a wine tasting only to cost millions to restore.  The family later sold it to the town during WW2. The details are amazing and the views just as stunning as the town itself.