Koblenz is the next stop in our Tour of the Seven Kingdoms! This fairy tale world is inspired by real castles in the Rhine and Mosel River valleys in Germany.
When you take the train, you can look up and see the fortress as the train pulls into the station. The big, hulking rock towers way up above the city of Koblenz.
We took a “crooked elevator” [Schrägaufzug] up to the youth hostel in the fortress. *Entertaining but bring exact change*
In normal times, you can also go by aerial tram. This site is in German but it’s worth checking out for the overview photos. *Gorgeous!*
Clip the map below to find all the tours:
Feeling cooped up? Take a mini-tour of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress in Germany. People have been defending this rock for 5,000 years. It’s the inspiration for Magenta Kingdom in the #SevenKingdomsFairyTales.
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The flat top of the fortress means there’s plenty of room for marching bands. From the air, the paths in the huge green field draw a lovely star-shape.
The real fortress is big enough for five museums and lots of gardens.
Plus the youth hostel. If you stay overnight, you wake up inside the museum. It’s a good idea to get the map the night before. 🙂 Because the museum might not be open yet!
It’s hard to sneak up on this fortress. Everyone is watching you. 
You can see the Rhine River through this peephole. 
The fortress’s flat top has plenty of room for gardens. 
These basalt columns weren’t made by people. They are a natural formation. 
Want to stay in a fortress with your family? 
Extra-high walls feel like a labyrinth! 
View of the city of Koblenz from the fortress. 
Secret passageway to youth hostel. 
This is the “German Corner”. The smaller river is the Mosel and the big brown one in front is the Rhine. 
Want to get a good view or get away in a hurry? Strike out into the hills above the Rhine.
If you like Ehrenbreitstein fortress as much as I do, you might enjoy Prince Nero’s adventures at the Christmas Fair.
This short story is an appetizer for the full-length Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tales.
And a way to spend a little more time in the Magenta Kingdom.
Happy reading!
Click here for more about the short story.
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Click here for more about the Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tales (for ages 9 to 12).