COBLENZ, laYblents, Germany, a forti fied city, anciently called Confluentes, from its situation at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. It is the capital of Rhenish Prussia and is finely situated on the left bank of the Rhine, in the angle between that river and the Moselle and connected by a pontoon bridge over the Rhine with Ehrenbreitstein. It consists of the old town, along the Moselle, and the new town, farther up the Rhine. Among the prin cipal buildings are the church of Saint Castor, founded early in the 9th century by the son of Charlemagne; the Liebfrauen-Kirche of the 13th century; the so-called Kaufhaus, built in 1477 as a town-hall, the ancient Burg, erected by the archbishop of Treves in 1276, restored by the town; and the large electoral palace, now a royal palace, completed in 1786. In 1905 the government completed a magnificent new building in which to centre the activities of the province. At the extreme point of the city, at the junction of the rivers, stands the splen did equestrian statue of Emperor William I, erected by the province. Cablenz has numer
ous and excellent educational institutions, in cluding a royal gymnasium, a teachers' semi nary and a music. Its chief in dustry is the production of the sparkling Moselle wine. There are also manufactures of ships, hats, machinery, pianos and lacquered wares. A system of four forts, including Ehrenbreitstein on the opposite bank of the Rhine, makes it very formidable. Metternich, the Austrian statesman, was born here in 1773.
Coblei.z was known to the Romans as Con fluentes. In 1018 it was conferred by Henry II upon the archbishops of Treves. After 1789 it was the headquarters of the French emigres, and in 1794 it passed to France. In 1815 it was ceded to Prussia. Consult Daniel,