Marienburg
Famous vineyard sites
Marienburg - Cannon Railroad Cultural Trail
At Cochem, some 50 km southwest of the Mosel River's confluence with the Rhine at Koblenz, the Mosel begins a series of spectacular loops as it snakes its way toward Zell, Bernkastel and Trier.
One of the most impressive and narrowest (less than 300m wide) is the Zeller Hamm, where the Mosel nearly encircles the vine-clad hill “Petersberg” as it loops for some 14 km from Alf and Bullay to Zell, Briedel and Pünderich. Majestically perched atop the hill’s forested summit is the Marienburg, which has been home to a convent and fortresses over the centuries. The terrace and observation deck afford a fantastic panoramic view of the loop and the vineyards on both sides of the river.
Marienburg is the namesake of the site that straddles the Mosel at Pünderich. The vineyards on the right (east) bank of the river at Pünderich are somewhat sloping and face west; theRiesling vines on the left (west) bank of the river are quite steep, sweeping up to an altitude of 230m, and face east, south and southwest – depending on the curve of the hillside. Stony, weathered slate predominates, sometimes mixed with loam. In all, the site is not quite 100 ha in size.
Pündericher Marienburg Riesling wines – or the Mosel Rieslings from neighboring villages, such as Alf, Bullay, Briedel or Reil, are not likely to be found in export markets, nor far beyond the borders of their origin. All the more reason to come visit – to sample the local wines, explore a typical Mosel landscape by bicycle or on a vineyard hike, and enjoy the warm hospitality of vintners at wine festivals and/or in their wine pubs and holiday quarters.
Zell, on the other hand, has achieved an international following thanks to volume production and exports of its “Schwarze Katz” (black cat) wine. With 4.5 million vines equal to an area of ca. 627 ha, Zell is one of the largest wine-growing communities of Germany. “Zeller Schwarze Katz” is the collective name of Zell’s 16 individual vineyard sites. The picturesque “black cat” labels and relatively easy-to-pronounce “Schwarze Katz” made for a marketing success and helped put Zell “on the map” in export markets as a popular German generic wine (cf. Piesporter Michelsberg, Niersteiner Gutes Domtal). While these generics are no longer particularly in vogue with wine lovers who seek more exclusive, tailor-made wines with terroir characteristics, they are popular with vacationers...it’s easy to enjoy even a simple wine right where it was produced.
To explore this section of the Mosel Valley on foot, you can follow the signposted “Cannon Railroad Cultural Trail” that runs 8.5 km between Bullay and Reil. It takes in a hike through the steep site Pündericher Marienburg, the Marienburg (with its vistas), and features historical railroad architechture en route, such as the first (1877) double-decker bridge (for railroad and autos) at Bullay and the “hillside viaduct” (1880) with 92 arches covering a span of 786m through the vineyards, complete with massive tunnels, between Reil and Bullay.
Opened in September 2005, the trail is dedicated to the “Kanonenbahn” (cannon railroad), a railway stretch between Berlin and Metz (in Lorraine, France) – a strategically important factor in quickly shipping troops and supplies to the western front during the first and second world wars. In time, local railway lines were built to connect wine-growing villages along the Mosel with this main line – which greatly helped wine-growers to inexpensively transport their wines (compared with expensive boat transport), and thus helped improve their economic status.
For those who wish to hike the entire trail (ca. 23 km) covering both sides of the river, i.e. a circular route, it is easy to stop in for a glass of wine or meal, or overnight in, one of the wine villages on the right side of the Mosel, or at Marienburg or in Alf on the left side of the river.
Tips for Tourists:
Marienburg:
In the course of the past millennium, the Marienburg has been the site of a castle, an Augustinian convent (1146–1515), and a fortress that was destroyed by the French in 1650 but rebuilt in ca. 1700 in Baroque style. The former monastery church (consecrated in 1157) bears witness to several building periods: the nave dates from the 12th century; the late Gothic chancel from the 2nd half of the 15th century; and the upper masonry of the nave with its oval windows stems from the 18th century.
There new hotel "Zur Marienburg" is located in the charming small city "Zell", which offers a combination of new, modern rooms and the traditional "Mosel" cuisine of the restaurant. In addition to that, the staff provides several services for the tourists to enable them to have a relaxing, interesting stay in the Mosel region.
Hotel - Restaurant ZUR MARIENBURG
Hauptstraße 32
56862 Pünderich
hotel-zur-marienburg.de
Schloss Zell:
Built 1530–1536 by the elector of Trier, Richard von Greiffenclau, as thanks for Zell citizens’ help in overcoming an uprising in Trier (seat of the elector). In 1803, in the aftermath of secularization, the property was privatized and has been a guesthouse (on and off) ever since. For the past decade, the hotel has been run by the Schneider family, who completely renovated the castle in 1995/96.
The hotel offers 13 traditionally and individually decorated rooms, some of which are located in the two towers of the castle. Moreover, there is a restaurant in the vaulted cellar or on the terrace. Also, the hotel is suitable for business meetings, weddings and other events.
Hotel Restaurant Schloss Zell
Schloßstraße 8a
56856 Zell / Mosel
schlosszell.de
Burg Arras – Hotel, Restaurant, Museum:
Former Roman bulwark, later built as a castle (950) and became home to the Knights of Arras. It was destroyed by the French in 1689 and rebuilt in ca. 1900. Today, it is the only “castle hotel” in the Mosel Valley. Operated by the Keuthen family.
From the keep (936), the oldest defense tower on the Mosel, there is a panoramic view of three valleys. The dungeon, with a torture chamber, can also be visited. The knights’ hall and the Meissen Room house part of a small museum with medieval armour and weapons, and exhibits related to the history of the Mosel.
Opening hours of the museum:
Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday+Sunday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
The hotel offers 10 traditionally and individually furnished rooms. Moreover, there is a restaurant, a castle garden, a museum, a terrace, a museum and several rooms which can be used for weddings, bussiness meetings and other events. The hotel and restaurant is closed in January and February.
Hotel Burg Arras - Familie Keuthen
Wittlicher Str. 1
56859 Alf / Mosel
arras.de
Mosel cruises:
moselfahrplan.de
Festival:
"Weinfest Zeller Schwarze Katz", big wine festival in late June, including a parade