Deutsches Eck
Rheinland-Pfalz
Deutsches Eck, located in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, is a historically and culturally significant site where the Rhine and Moselle rivers converge. The site is renowned for its imposing equestrian statue of Emperor Wilhelm I, erected between 1895 and 1897 by Bruno Schmitz and Emil Hundrieser in a monumental style, symbolizing German unification after the wars of 1864, 1866, and 1871. The monument stands 44 meters tall, with the statue itself measuring 14 meters, and was crafted in Braunschweig by the Georg Howaldt foundry. The area’s history dates back to 1216 when Archbishop Theoderich von Wied granted land to the Teutonic Order near the confluence, leading to the name Deutsches Eck (German Corner). The site was reshaped in the 19th century by filling a former emergency harbor to create the landform where the monument now stands. Destroyed by artillery in 1945, the monument's pedestal was repurposed as a memorial to German unity in 1953, and the statue was reconstructed and reinstated in 1993. Today, Deutsches Eck is a major tourist attraction, drawing over two million visitors annually and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley since 2002. Its location offers scenic views and is a focal point for cultural events and city tours in Koblenz.
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Tip: Visit Deutsches Eck during spring and early autumn for pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Tickets are generally not required to access the monument area. Consider joining a guided city tour of Koblenz to gain deeper historical insights. Discounts may be available for groups and seniors on related Koblenz tours. Arrive early in the day to enjoy peaceful views of the river confluence and take advantage of nearby amenities and walking paths.
Interesting facts
- •The equestrian statue of Emperor Wilhelm I is 14 meters tall and is part of a 44-meter-high monument.
- •The monument was destroyed by artillery fire in 1945 and later repurposed as a symbol of German unity.
- •The Deutsches Eck is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley since 2002.
- •The site was originally associated with the Teutonic Order in the 13th century.
- •The monument was inaugurated in the presence of Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1897.
History
The Deutsches Eck area originated in the early 13th century when the Teutonic Order was granted land by Archbishop Theoderich von Wied in 1216, establishing a commandery there.
In the late 19th century, following the death of Emperor Wilhelm I, the idea emerged to commemorate him with a monument celebrating German unification.
Kaiser Wilhelm II chose the Deutsches Eck site in 1891 for the monument due to the emperor’s personal ties to Koblenz and the symbolic significance of the Rhine confluence.
The monument was inaugurated in 1897.
It was destroyed in 1945 during World War II, then transformed into a memorial to German unity in 1953, and finally reconstructed in 1993 to restore its original form.
Place Guide
Equestrian Statue of Emperor Wilhelm I1895-1897
This monumental copper statue depicts Emperor Wilhelm I accompanied by a figure of Victoria, symbolizing victory. It is the centerpiece of Deutsches Eck and stands 14 meters tall atop a 44-meter-high monument created in the late 19th century.
The Monumental Colonnade and Pedestal1895-1897
The statue stands before a grand colonnade forming part of the monument’s base, designed in a monumental architectural style. The pedestal was repurposed as a memorial to German unity after World War II before the statue’s reconstruction.
Contact
Phone: 0261 1291610