Page 350 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

348  WESTERN GERM AN Y RHINELAND–P ALA TINA TE & SAARLAND  349

2 Saarland Völklingen
Road map B6. * 43,500. 3 Moseltal
This German state, bordered by Luxembourg and France, n Neuen Bahnhof, Rathausstraße 55
was long disputed between France and Germany, but has (06898-132 800). The Mosel river, 545 km (338 miles) long, is one of
now been firmly integrated into the Federal Republic. Almost About 10 km (6 miles) west the longest tributaries of the Rhine. The Mosel valley
forgotten are its coal and steel industries, which declined in of Saarbrücken lies the small between Trier and Koblenz, where the Mosel flows
industrial town of Völklingen,
the 1960s and 70s. The region has seen a turbulent history – which was granted town status into the Rhine, is one of the most beautiful parts of
it was ruled in turn by Celts, Romans and Franks. In the in 1937. In 1881, Carl Röchling, a Germany. On both sides of the river, romantic castles
17th century, on the order of Louis XIV, Vauban built the native of Saarbrücken, bought tower over endless vineyards, where excellent white 2 Burg Thurant Near the town
town-fortress of Saarlouis. Saarbrücken, an 18th-century a small steel mill, the Völklinger grapes are grown – both are typical features of the of Alken stands Thurant castle,
town, is famous for its Baroque architecture, mostly created Hütte, which he soon devel- charming landscape. which was built in the 13th century.
It is the only twin-towered castle
oped as the heart of his family’s
by Friedrich Joachim Stengel. along the Mosel.
industrial empire. The steel mill
still exists, and in 1994 it became
a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 1 Matthias-Kapelle This late-Romanesque
listed as a historical object of chapel was once used to house the remains
international importance. of the Apostle Matthew. These were later
Another attraction is an early transferred to the Matthiaskirche in Trier.
20th-century housing estate.
5 Burg Pyrmont Pyrmont’s
Homburg grim 13th-century medieval
Road map B6. * 42,000. n Rat haus, castle was remodelled and
Am Forum 5 (06 841-10 11 66). extended several times
This town grew up around the during the Baroque era.
Hohenburg castle, which now
Von Nassau-Saarbrücken family tombs in Saarbrücken is just a picturesque ruin. In 6 Cochem The castle in
the Schloßberg nearby were Cochem, originally built in
Saarbrücken (1762–75) is one of the last unearthed the remains of a the 11th century, was
Road map B6. * 190,000. £ works completed by Stengel. fortress, which was built in 1680– completely destroyed by
n Rathaus St Johann, Rathausplatz 1 A true architectural gem, it is 92 by Sébastien Le Preste Vauban French soldiers in 1689. The
(0681-95 90 92 00). _ Max Ophüls- laid out in the shape of a on the orders of the French King present castle was rebuilt
Preis (Jan), Perspectives du Théâtre Greek cross. The Stiftskirche Louis XIV. The greatest attraction in the 19th century. J
(May), Saar Spektakel (Aug). ∑ St Arnual, in the southwestern of Homburg, however, is its
saarbruecken.de part of the town, contains Schloßberg caves, the largest
The capital of Saarland, the splendid Gothic and man-made caves in Europe, cut
Saarbrücken was first built as Renaissance tombs of the von into the red sandstone. J Mosal
the Franconian fortress of Nassau-Saarbrücken family. Baybach
Sarabrucca. The town, on the Since 1960 it has also featured a Ottweiler
Saar River, flourished in the 17th “German–French Garden”. One Road map B5. * 16,000.
and 18th century, under the of the garden’s entrances leads n Schloßhof 5 (06 824-35 11). Diinnbach
rule of Duke Wilhelm Heinrich to Gulliver-Miniwelt (miniature The small picturesque town of
von Nassau-Saarbrücken. world of Gulliver), where small Ottweiler has a beautifully J
The churches and other versions of the world’s most preserved old town. The Alter Bremm
prestigious buildings are largely famous buildings are exhibited. Turm (old tower), which in the
the work of Friedrich Joachim 15th century formed part of the 3 Ehrenburg The first
Stengel, court architect to the town’s fortifications, now serves fortress, rising to 235 m
von Nassau-Saarbrücken family. as a belfry to the parish church, (771 ft) above sea level, was
He designed the Catholic whose origins go back to the built in 1120. It was frequently
Basilika St Johann (1754–8) in 15th century. Its present Baroque remodelled in later years.
the market square, as well as form was the work of Friedrich 4 Burg Eltz The von Eltz family
the monumental Schloß, the Joachim Stengel from 1756–7. castle, whose history goes back Tips for Drivers
palace on the opposite bank of Rathausplatz is a beautifully to the 16th century, remains in
the Saar (1739–48). Its original, proportioned complex of historic private hands to this day, but it Length of the route: about
modern façade, created in 1989 houses, mostly the homes of is open to visitors. 75 km (46 miles).
after damage in World War II, wealthy citizens, dating from the 7 Burg Arras This fortress Stopping-off points: there are
is the work of the architect 17th and 18th centuries. Many was built around 900–950 Key numerous restaurants and cafés
Gottfried Böhm. have half-timbered upper halves. as part of the fortifications Suggested route in Cochem; small pubs can be
Opposite the Schloß stands The Altes Rathaus (old town hall, against frequent pillaging Scenic route found along the entire route.
the Altes Rathaus (old town 1714) combines two different raids by Normans. Other road Additional attractions: a boat
hall), dating from 1748–50, building methods – the base is trip on the Mosel River, from
which today houses an inter- stone, the top half-timbered. In 0 km 5 River, lake Koblenz to Cochem or Trier.
esting museum of ethno graphy. Völklinger Hütte, the historic steelworks Schloßplatz is the Renaissance 0 miles 5 Viewpoint
The Protestant Ludwigskirche in Völklingen Hesse Haus (around 1590).
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p499 and pp524–5

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.3)
Date 6th February 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm