COBLENTZ, the Confittentia of the ancients, is a town of France, in the department of the Rhine and Moselle, situated at the confluence of these two rivers, from which circumstance its name is derived. Coblentz forms a per fect triangle, one side of which extends along the Mo selle, and the other along the Rhine. The streets are in general very regular, and are well paved and lighted, and the houses, which are chiefly of three stories, are built of stone. The long street of Rheinthor, which traverses the whole town, is reckoned the finest, though it is not uniformly straight.
There are two collegiate churches at Coblentz, viz. the churches of St. Castor and St. Florin ; three parish churches, viz. that of the Court, that of Notre Dante, and that of St. Castor ; besides the church of St John, which formerly belonged to the Jesuits, and four convents of monks. The collegiate church of St Castor is very old, and the place on which it stands was once an island in the Rhine. The large and solid dome is supported by columns of the Corinthian order, which are admired for their lightness. In the choir, which is very beautiful, are four paintings by J. Zick, representing the history of St Guar and St Castor. Above the choir, and near the principal altar, which is ornamented with a cross of guilt copper, front seven to eight feet high, are the tombs of several archbishops.
The church of St Florin is next in point of antiquity to that of St Castor. The choir is adorned with fourteen paintings, by J. Zick, representing the passion of out Saviour.
The parish church of Notre Dame is large and well lighted. It is distinguished by its spires, which are very lofty and of uncommon architecture. On the southern side of one of these is a dial, which, along with the hour of the day, spews the phases of the moon. This church has several beautiful altars of marble, but is too narrow in proportion to its length.
The convent of the Dominicans, situated on the Mo selle, and built in the 15th century, is the only one worthy of notice. The church is fine, and its principal altar mag nificent. It is built wholly of stone, and is adorned with several very fine sculptures.
The gymnasium, or college, is a very fine building, si tuated in the middle of the town. By the large square which is before it, by its two entrances, and by its proxi mity to the church of St John, which it touches, it adds greatly to the beauty of the street called Firmung-strasse.
The bridge over the Moselle,built of stone, was erected in the 14th century. It is 528 feet long, and has 14 arches sufficiently high to permit small vessels to pass below them, without lowering their masts. The bridge of boats, or the flying bridge, by which passengers cross the Rhine to Thal-Ehrenbreitsten three times every hour, is a very interesting object.
The palace of the electors of Treves was formerly si tuated on the opposite side of the Rhine, at the foot of the rock on which the ruins of the castle of Ehrenbreitsten once stood ; but from the danger and inconveniences of this situation, a new palace was built about 25 years ago, on the left bank of the Rhine, a little to the south of the town. It fronts to the west, and has two fine circular wings. The central building is three stories high, and has a fine projecting entrance, consisting of eight columns of the Doric order, supporting a balcony, and capable of receiving carriages in the time of rain. The back front, towards the Rhine, is ornamented with six columns, which support a bas relief of beautiful workmanship. The whole building is surrounded with an avenue, planted with fine trees. This magnificent palace, however, is now in ruins, and is used as barracks.
At a short distance to the south west of the town is the Chartreuse, which is situated on the top of several moun tains, which rise insensibly one upon another. The mountain upon which it is built consists of clay, which is used for pottery ware, and from the top is to be seen one of the most beautiful and extensive prospects. This monastery is now in ruins, and is inhabited only by an inn-keeper.
The other objects of curiosity at Coblentz are, the fort of Marceau, on the road to Andernach, the tombs of General Marceau, and General Hoche. There is also another monument erected to General Hoche, not far front \Veissenthierne, opposite to Neuwied. The Dikas terial-Bau, and the theatre, are also fine buildings.
On the opposite side of the Rhine stands the Faux bourg, called Thal, and the celebrated fortress of Ehren breitsten (leribertii Saxum.) This fortress, which is now in ruins, is situated on the summit of a stupendous rock, which rises 800 feet above the bed of the river. Before the demolition of this fortress, it was considered impregnable, when defended by a competent garrison. It was ascended by three difficult and winding paths, one of which is now broken ;—it communicated with Coblentz by tunnels cut through the solid rock, and it was supplied with water from a well 286 feet deep. '11.e %iew from the top of the rock is considered as the finest on the banks of the Rhine.
Coblentz is surrounded with mountains covered with vineyards, and a great deal of wood grows in the arron dissement. It carries on a small commerce in the pro ductions of the country, and the only manufacture is one of japanned tinned goods. Population 10,000. E. Long. 7° N. Lat. 50° 24'. See Coblentz ein hist. topograph. Versuch von Lessoux, Coblentz, 1803. (a)