The architectural highlights in the Bernkastel-Kues holiday region
The history of architecture is as old as the history of mankind. It is a part of human culture and has always reflected the financial situation, values, views, functionalities and needs of the respective eras, people and regions. As a result, architecture is constantly changing and evolving, often giving rise to new and completely different architectural styles. The influence of different architectural trends, eras and needs can also be felt and experienced in the Bernkastel-Kues holiday region. From Roman wine presses to medieval castles, magnificent palaces, ornate half-timbered houses and timelessly modern wine cellars. An architectural journey through time along the Moselle: holiday architecture, wine and architecture, the construction of half-timbered houses, castles, fortresses, churches, monasteries and much more: these are the architectural highlights along the Moselle! We present them to you here.
Wine and architecture - a perfect symbiosis of enjoyment and aesthetics.
The Moselle and wine are inextricably linked. The same applies to wine and architecture. In addition to the functional aspects of wine estates, cellars, wine taverns and wine shops, aesthetic and design aspects have always played a role. It is therefore not surprising that different centuries have produced magnificent winegrowers' villas, imposing wine cellars, ornate vineyard cottages in the middle of the vineyards and minimalist wine bars. Many of these buildings are so unique and artistically designed that they have won awards for their architecture. Let yourself be inspired by this excellent wine architecture and enjoy equally outstanding Moselle wines in an architecturally outstanding atmosphere. Be it in historic walls from past architectural eras or contemporary, modern wine bars.
Wine vault cellar - underground wine architecture
The Bernkastel-Kues vacation region is home to impressive vaulted cellars hidden beneath thick walls. These mystical and atmospheric walls are usually more than just simple wine cellars. They also serve as tasting rooms, restaurants or wine shops. Many of these cellars can also be visited as part of a guided tour or wine tasting. For example, over 100 Moselle wines can be tasted in the Bernkastel vinotheque pictured here.
Vineyard cottages - wine architecture in the vineyard
These small buildings in the vineyards were used by winegrowers to store the tools they needed for the various vineyard tasks. The little houses also offered protection in the event of storms.
Today, the vineyard cottages adorn the vineyards along the Moselle with their unique architecture and also have different functions than in the past. For example, wine tastings can be enjoyed in the Elisenhäuschen pictured here.
Architecture for dreaming
Spend exclusive nights in a unique architectural setting. How about a castle, a church or a luxurious Moselle suite?
Stay in architecturally unique and award-winning vacation homes and hotels: experience this in the Bernkastel-Kues holiday region. The choice could not be more varied. Whether church, castle, wine apartments or luxury suites, each accommodation is characterized by its unique architecture and atmosphere. Find your own personal vacation architecture highlight for your Moselle vacation or browse through all of our unique Moselle accommodations.
Multifaceted architecture in the Moselle valley
Architecture comes from the Latin word "architectura" (art of building) and refers to man's technical and aesthetic engagement with built space. Even the Roman or Greek origin of the word shows that this discipline is not a new topic, but has very old roots in human history and has never lost its importance since then. This also becomes clear during a visit to the Bernkastel-Kues holiday region. Here, completely different streams of architecture from different eras impressively demonstrate the relationship between man and the built environment. Witnesses of the times, such as historic Roman calderas, magnificent churches, imposing castles and palaces as well as ornate half-timbered ensembles are just some of the architectural highlights worth seeing in the Bernkastel-Kues holiday region.
Roman architecture
The ancient Romans were masters of architecture. The Romans' ability to erect and construct buildings led to various types of architecture in the construction of temples, fortresses, baths, villas and streets.
Roman heritage can also be admired in the Moselle Valley, as the Romans settled here around 2000 years ago and left their mark on the region. Their influences are still visible today. The wine press in Piesport, for example, is a testimony to this bygone era, impressively demonstrating the inventive architecture of the Romans.
Castles and palaces in the Moselle valley
Castles and palaces have fired people's imagination for thousands of years and reflect a long history of architecture and the way of life of the nobility. Building them was a masterpiece of architectural craftsmanship.
One of the most famous castles in the Moselle valley is Landshut Castle, which was built at the end of the 13th century on the foundations of a Roman fortification. Today you can dine in the restaurant located there. You can learn about the history of the castle on a guided tour. in 2018, Landshut Castle was even represented at the Day of Architecture thanks to the outstanding restoration work, such as a large glass façade with a phenomenal view of the town of Bernkastel-Kues.
Artfully decorated half-timbering
The architectural style of the half-timbered house is the best-known use of timber framing in building construction. The typical half-timbered house appearance is created by a timber frame construction with diagonally installed struts. The spaces in between are filled with clay or masonry.
Such half-timbered gems can also be seen in the Bernkastel-Kues vacation region. The historic market square in Bernkastel-Kues, for example, is a remarkable collection of ornate half-timbered houses. But other squares, half-timbered ensembles and buildings are also worth a visit.
Churches, monasteries, chapels
Church building refers to the design, construction, conversion and preservation of churches. The main architectural elements of traditional European churches are the choir (chancel), transept, nave and towers. Despite these repetitive basic aspects, each church has its own unique architecture, sometimes richly decorated, sometimes magnificent and sometimes more restrained.
Fountains - playing with architecture and water
The history of the fountain is as old as the history of mankind. Even the ancient world had a high fountain culture with fountains and water-dispensing statues. The Gothic period brought pyramid fountains and the Renaissance straight, decorative fountain columns with figures at the top. Baroque fountain architecture is no longer graceful, but massive and massive. This monumental architecture replaces the Rococo with grace and lightness. In this way, the fountain as a work of art follows the architectural laws of the epochs and never loses the fascination that people associate with water.
Wine and architecture - treasures of the Moselle valley
The theme of wine and architecture unites the three Moselle nations of France, Luxembourg and Germany. Via mosel´ presents the most beautiful wine estates and wine villages in the borderless Moselle valley, which are known for the quality of their tourist infrastructure, but also for their remarkable historical or contemporary architecture. The most beautiful wine estates and villages were selected by a jury of experts on the basis of their touristic quality and their remarkable architecture. The Via mosel´ route strings these treasures of the Moselle valley together like a string of pearls.
The Via mosel´ architecture weekend always takes place on the first weekend in April, with program points, experiences, guided tours and more on the subject of wine and architecture along the entire Moselle.
Exclusive wine architecture package
On an architectural journey through time in the Bernkastel-Kues vacation region, you will experience the most diverse architectural eras with their unique buildings. You can also enjoy the variety of flavors of Moselle wines at exclusive wine tastings in outstanding architectural wineries and get to know the many facets of wine architecture.
Take a boat trip to Traben-Trarbach, where you can marvel at the impressive Art Nouveau architecture. And on a guided tour through the historic alleyways in Bernkastel-Kues, you will learn interesting facts about the history of the town, the Moselle, the wine and the half-timbered houses.
Exciting guided tours with architectural highlights
Enjoy exciting and varied guided tours through the old town of Bernkastel-Kues and the vacation region of the same name during your vacation.
Be inspired by the charm of the historic half-timbered houses in Bernkastel-Kues on a guided tour of the old town or immerse yourself in the centuries-old history of Landshut Castle on a guided tour of the castle. A tour of St. Nicholas Hospital, whose chapel is one of the most important Gothic buildings on the Moselle, is also steeped in history. Or how about a tour of Veldenz Castle?
Building in the Moselle valley
We on the Moselle love our historic half-timbered architecture and slate-covered roofs, but we are just as enthusiastic about contemporary and new construction. A contemporary transfer of the historical building culture to today guarantees the unmistakable Moselle charm.
The charm lies in the diversity! We prove that the two go well together in many towns and cities along the Moselle - internationally and across borders.
