Bernkastel-Kues Things to Do

The small town-square of Berncastel-Kues is completely surrounded by these lovely half-timbered houses, dating back partly to the 17th century.
The town-square if off-limits for cars ( except for a few local people ), so walking there is easy and great fun !

The old baroque townhall is certainly one of the most beautiful buildings in Bernkastel-Kues.
Just click on my picture and have a look for the old windows on 1st floor and the great ornaments around the balcony.
On top of the balcony you see a small statue of the virgin Mary.

When you take a closer look at the great facades you may sometimes see the date , when the building was built or restored.
This building indicates 1644, and when you click on my picture you may as well see the lovely ornaments and decorations of the wooden structure in the facade.

Bernkastle-Kues was given civic rights in 1291. That meant that the town had the right to built a city wall to protect it against unwelcome intruders. This fortified wall was provided with eight city gates and the Graacher Gate is the only surviving one. We learned that the tower of the St. Michaelskirche was once incorporated in this city defence wall. And when you have a good look at the impressive tower we must admit that it looks more than an old keep than like a church spire.

Even when you arrive at the church from the backside and not the front you'll see that the mighty 600 years old church tower of the St. Michaelskirche ranks among the impressive buildings in the village. The church was first mentioned in 1177, but in its present form it dates back mainly from the end of the 14th century. The original barock façade was rebuilt in 1968 and we thought that it is in stark contrast to the massive church tower.

Although we were quite late when we arrived at the St. Michaelskirche we still were allowed to enter it. A huge advantage of our late arrival was the fact that there were almost no tourists left. Either the bus/coach or boat had already left or everybody was drinking Federweisser in the Weinstubes.

When we went inside the St. Michaelskirche we noticed that the interior had the character of a large hall. From some documents we learned that the vestry was built in 1664. We immediately saw that the central focus in the choir was a calvary group of 1496. In addition to the main building the plague altar, a work by Hoffmann, can be seen. It reflects a scene around 1630, when Bernkastel-Kues citizens, gathered at the Marktplatz (Market Square), carry the victims of the plague to burial. The church is well endowed with art treasures.

We did some more strolling around in this beautiful church with its three naves and noticed that it is richly ornamented to such an extend as is rarely seen in these parts of Germany. Once we were outside again we neede some time to let it all work out in our systeem, all this amazing beauty! We found the time and space in one of the cozy little pubs in the village itself.

St.Michaelskirche dates back to the end of the 14th century, but the tower is much older and was once part of the fortification-walls around the town.
Inside the church you may see a "holy grave" of the 17th century.

St.Michael is the patron of the town Bernkastel-Kues and so you may see him also on top of the fountain on the main-square.
St.Michael is an angel, therefore you may see his golden wings on the statue, surrounded by great old half-timbered houses.
This fountain dates back to 1606.

Have a look around the townhall for the great back-entrance of the building with the head-sculpture of god Bacchus on top.
It is great to see this type of entrance and the red facade with lovely golden ornaments.