The Deutsches Eck ("German Corner") is the headland in Koblenz where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet, named after a settlement founded here by the Teutonic Order in 1216. At the tip of the confluence stands a 37-metre equestrian monument to Emperor Wilhelm I, first inaugurated in 1897, destroyed in 1945 and faithfully rebuilt in 1993, and today regarded as a symbol of German unity. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage "Upper Middle Rhine Valley" since 2002, it draws more than two million visitors a year and, as of 2026, remains a freely accessible landmark open around the clock. The classic way to enjoy it is to climb onto the statue's base for a sweeping view over the two rivers and across to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
The colossal Wilhelm I equestrian statue at the very point of the confluence, with steps up onto its viewing plinth
The panorama from the plinth over the merging Rhine and Moselle and the Koblenz old town
Ehrenbreitstein Fortress on the cliff across the river - the second-largest preserved fortress in Europe after Gibraltar
The 890-metre cable car beside the confluence, gliding in glass cabins to the fortress with UNESCO valley views
The piece of the Berlin Wall placed nearby, recalling Germany's former east-west division
Good to know
SafetyEach August the "Rhine in Flames" fireworks festival packs the banks with tens of thousands. In 2026 it runs 7-9 August (fireworks highlight on the 8th); book accommodation and train tickets months ahead if you plan to be there then.
SafetyThe tip of the headland has low railings right beside two fast-flowing rivers. Don't stand on the edge for photos, hold children's hands, and note that swimming in the rivers is dangerous and prohibited.
SeasonThe cable car to the fortress does not run in deep winter; in 2026 it is scheduled from 16 March to 1 November. For a winter visit, plan on bus or foot access instead (verify fares and hours for the latest details).
MannersThe equestrian statue is a memorial to German unity. You may freely walk up the plinth steps, but avoid climbing on the sculpture itself or behaving loudly around the monument.
RulesDrone flying is restricted over this city-centre UNESCO zone; check local rules before filming. Carrying a few coins is handy for paid public toilets (roughly EUR 0.50-1).
CautionRiverside restaurants right by the landmark can charge tourist-area prices; check the menu prices before ordering. The combined cable-car-plus-fortress ticket is cheaper than buying separately, so buy it at face value from the official counter or app.
Practical info
Bus line 1 from Koblenz main station reaches the Deutsches Eck in about 12 minutes, and you can also walk there via the old town and Rhine promenade. As an open-air site it is free and always accessible, while Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and the State Museum across the river have their own admission and opening hours - so check the cable car's operating status and combo-ticket prices on the official sites for the latest details before you go.
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