What can I say? Koblenz is another Rhine valley city with deep Roman roots. Julius Caesar built a bridge there in 9 BCE. It is strategically located at the juncture of the Rhine and the Mosel River. The French spell it Moselle like the wine. The actual confluence today is marked by a giant statue of William I, the first German Emperor. It was erected in 1897 but destroyed during WWII bombing. A copy was put back in the 1990's.
No way a low lying river boat can give you a decent picture of the Rhine and Mosel meeting so this photo stolen from Wikipedia will give you an idea. You're never very far from a river in Koblenz.
Though the history of this juncture of waters has been primarily told by battles for political control of the river, my impression of Koblenz was cheerful and cheeky. Wherever we walked the town seemed to be exuding a lively sense of civic humor. Or perhaps it was our guide Birjik,who was attired in the reddest coat I've ever seen. We clearly didn't need her flag to keep track of her.
She seemed to want to make sure we saw some of the good humored city monuments rather than more churches. We were trundled off down some narrow streets and into a small courtyard to visit the Schangelbrunnen--a fountain honoring the city's namesake--the spitting boy or "Schangel."
The young man spits a stream of water well outside of the edge of the fountain at staggered times and varying distances. Unwary tourists are the main victims. Our guide said the image was intended to be a monument to the hordes of clever, mischievous, illegitimate children that roamed the bombed out streets after WW II. Further research pushed the term back to a twenty year period (1794-1813) when Koblenz was paying allegiance to France. Children born then were seen as happier and more laid back than the detail oriented Germans. Where the truth lies is again not going to be moderated here. All I know is that the mischievous quick witted boy is seen as Koblenz's mascot now and the image is everywhere in souvenir shops as well as emblazoned on city sewer covers. .
On to another fountain but this one stayed nicely within its pond. The young girl is nicely rendered and seems to be almost dancing as she joins in the fun of chasing the ducks.
The redcoats are coming again as we get introduced to another contemporary sculpture that just dares you to to get close.
And of course one of our party rose to the bait.
Even the town clocks are saucy. Look carefully on the hour as this bearded old fellow man bugs his eyes and sticks out his tongue at you. No matter that the story is he was about to be executed and was showing his disdain for his accusers.
OK there are churches and statues too
but playfulness just keeps intruding
and stealing the day.
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