Bernkastel

On te 29th, we ventured out to Bernkastel. Bernkastel-Kues (pop. 8,000) is a delightful little twin town in the Moselle Valley, halfway between Trier and Cochem.
The first settlements date back to the time of the Linear Pottery culture, some 5000 years ago. The present town developed in the Middles Ages. Bernkastel was granted town status by King Rudolph of Habsburg in 1291. Bernkastel literally means "bear castle". The colourful medieval Market Square is one of the most beautiful in the Moselle Valley. It is surrounded by many well preserved half-timbered houses, as well as the Renaissance Town Hall built in 1608. Ruin of the 13th-century Castle of Landshut overlook Bernkastel in the vineyards on the slopes of the valley. The castle was originally built 1277, but was accidentally ravaged by a fire in 1692.