Cats always land on their feet, they say. I climbed the hills above Zell, home of the mythical Black Cat, twice this year, once on an overnight camping stay, my tent just 2 metres from the Mosel river, once for a family hike up to the Collisturm overlooking this charming spot, its full name being Zell-am-Mosel ( Zell-am-Kaimt ).
The story of the Schwarze Katz is that it jealously guarded one particular barrel of local wine in its owner's wine cellar. Anyone that dared approach that barrel was attacked by the cat. Both it and the local wine became famous. For those who like cats and wine, Zell is the place to go.
There are two towers overlooking the small town, Collisturm and the lower Runder Turm ( Round Tower ) . From the Runder Turm early one morning l made a rare A3 charcoal drawing, overlooking the cemetery, the vineyards and the church on the Mosel's edge.
Runder Turm, overlooking Zell ( Collisturm in the distance)
And a strange discovery from the Runder Turm looking down on the cemetery- a corner dedicated to the german soldiers fallen in battle during the 1914-1918 World War, each of their graves decorated with an iron cross ( Eisener Kreuz ) of the German Empire ...
from my Inktober 2024 sketchbook
Collisturm ( built in 1906 ) , a 160 m high scramble up one mile of twisting shale paths between the vineyards, the view is splendid. And the acoustics inside the little tower too. Once there - or before leaving - ring the old bell above !
This time accompanied by the family, the steep descent at the end of the day was not easy ; remember, you need descent footwear.
A bottle of good Schwarze Katze Riesling in the baggage, onwards and upwards to another gem of the Mosel, Cochem and its castle, the Reichsburg...
Prosit !
W.
2024
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