Forward to the past: Königswinter to Koblenz

Koblenz is located at the confluence, or converging point, for the Rhine river and the Moselle river. In fact, the name “Koblenz” evolved from the Latin word for confluence, “confluentes.” The literal meeting point for the 2 rivers is called the Deutsches Eck, or German Corner.

There is a huge equestrian statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I, who was responsible for the reunification of Germany in the late 19^th century. The original statue was destroyed during World War II, but the monument was restored and a new statue was installed in 1993.

There is a cable car and lift called the Seilbahn that carries passengers across the Rhine and up to the Festung (fortress) Ehrenbreitstein. The combined cable car and fortress ticket price is 11,80 €.

Activity and even buildings on Festung Ehrenbreitstein date back to the Bronze Age, 1200-900 B.C.E. A castle was built around 1000 C.E. and the present fortress was first built in the 17^th century. From a military standpoint, it is an ideal location for an outpost. It can only be accessed from one direction, the north, because it is surrounded by steep slopes in all other directions. Also, its height affords excellent views of the area, making it easy to see an enemy’s approach.

The fortress actually looks more impressive from a distance. You can’t really take it all in when you’re up close. However, the view from the fortress to the valley is spectacular.

The Landesmuseum Koblenz or National Museum in Koblenz Ehrenbreitstein is located in the fortress. Admission is included in the fortress ticket price.

Inside there were some photo collections and other exhibitions, but actually the most interesting part for me was the glass blowing exhibition.

After that it was off to the Kurort at Bad Bertrich, but on the way I made a stop at the Goloring.

The Goloring is a large circular ditch that is proportionately similar to Stonehenge, but without the megaliths. It dates to 1200-800 B.C.E., much later than Stonehenge. Based on the ruins, this is what experts believe it may have looked like originally.

Its exact purpose remains a mystery. Like Stonehenge, it is oriented in a way that suggests it was used as a solar calendar. However, there are a number of graves in the area, suggesting it was more than a calendar. Some believe it was a meeting place for druids and regard it as one of the most significant Celtic cultural relics in central Europe. It is suggested that it was used to create a space separated from the secular world in order to deal with religious matters. No one knows for sure. Perhaps it served more than 1 purpose or different purposes at different times.

From a sightseeing perspective, it really isn’t much to look at. In fact, it really isn’t even open to the public and you have to work with the locals to gain access. Today, it’s just a big circular ditch surrounded by a bunch of trees. Yet, in spite of its lackluster appearance, I am intrigued by the mystery surrounding it.

Then it was off to Bad Bertrich.

Bad Bertrich is an official state spa, or Staatsbad, and health resort in the Eifel mountains. It was awarded this title in 1475, but its history goes back much farther than that. The area was formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, and it boasts a natural hot spring that was used by the ancient Romans and is purported to have healing properties.

The place is a veritable health Mecca. There is a salt spring that claims to provide relief from arthritic and gastrointestinal ailments.

The Vulkaneifel thermal spa has saunas and indoor and outdoor pools.

The resort even has its own coin currency, the Bertricus-Taler. It works just like cash and can be used for purchases just like the euro. The exchange rate with the euro is 1:1.

I thought Der Landschaftstherapeutische Park, or The Therapeutic Landscape Park, was interesting. It is named “Römerkessel,” or “Roman kettle,” and it is a series of gardens designed specifically by Munich psychologists to create an atmosphere in which to “de-stress” or “decompress.” It is the first therapeutic landscape park in Europe.

There are signs with tips for mindfulness at each garden.

The whole goal is to create a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere to allow you to direct your life toward greater joy and happiness by formulating goals and finding “creative solutions to change unfavorable circumstances,” thus increasing your overall health. They call it “emotional care.” It really makes a lot of sense.

There are a variety of packages that mix and match services and accommodations, ranging from 96 € per night for the “no frills” package and 2-night stay, to the 699 € per night for the “Fasting according to Dr. Buchinger 7-day cure” package and 7-night stay that includes a “Caviar luxury treatment.” Since I’m not into caviar or fasting, I opted instead for the 5-night “Eiffel-out” package at 529 € per night. It included a massage and a visit to the Römerkessel.