Page 412 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

410  WESTERN GERM AN Y NOR TH RHINE-WESTPHALIA  411

back to 830, when a Benedictine From here it is worth travelling
monastery was established another 23 km (14 miles) west
here. The present church is a to Bedburg, where the moated
12th­century Romanesque castle is worth seeing. This is a
basilica with impressive vast brick structure with four
11th­century frontage. Also wings, which was established
worth seeing are the Gothic in stages over 300 years,
town hall and a Romanesque starting in around 1300.
house, now housing a museum.
E Rheinisches Freilicht museum i Bonn
Kommern See p412.
Auf dem Kahlenbusch. Mechernich­
Bad Münstereifel is a pretty spa town in the valley of the river Erftl Kommern. Tel (02443) 998 00.
Open Apr–Oct: 9am–7pm daily; Nov–
y Northern Eifel building, decor ated in a way that Mar: 10am–5pm daily. & o Königswinter
reflects its purpose. One of the
Road map A4. n Hahplatz 1, 54595 Road map B4. * 35,000. £ @ n
Prüm (06551) 505. _ Bad Münster­ most interesting monuments of u Brühl Drachenfelsstraße 51 (02223-91 77 11).
eifel: Burg in Flammen (Jul). this region is the Steinfeld Phantasialand, one of the largest theme parks in Germany, near Brühl
monastery, with a history dating Road map B4. * 42,000. £ @ Königswinter lies in the centre
Barely 20 per cent of the Eifel from the 10th century. In 1121 n Uhlstraße 1 (02232­793 82). was designed by Balthasar + Augustusburg of the Siebengebirge, an
mountain range is in North the Augustinians settled here, _ Hubertusmarkt (Oct). Neumann. The castle is Tel (02232) 440 00. Open Feb–Nov: attractive range of small,
Rhine­Westphalia. Low, forested and in 1126 they accepted the surrounded by a Baroque park, 9am–noon & 1:30–4pm Tue–Fri, wooded mountains (the “seven
mountains line the valley of the rule of St Norbert of Xanten, The small town of Brühl has one designed by Dominique Girard. 10am–5pm Sat & Sun. mountains”), excellently suited
Rur river, which has been and this became the first of the most beautiful residential About 2 km (1 mile) east of + Falkenlust for walking. The most popular
dammed in several places. The monastery on German territory. complexes, since 1984 a UNESCO the main residence is another Tel (02232) 440 00. Open Feb–Nov: mountain is the Drachenfels
resulting artificial lakes provide a A beautiful Romanesque World Heri tage Site. As early as castle, Falkenlust, built in 1729– 9am–noon & 1:30–4pm Tue–Fri, (dragon’s rock). The oldest
perfect opportunity for relaxation basilica was built in the second the 13th century, a palace was 40, to a design by Cuvilliés. Its 10am–5pm Sat & Sun. mountain railway in Germany,
and sporting activities. There are half of the 12th century. It has established here for the arch­ captivating interior includes a  Phantasialand built in 1883, takes visitors to
also many attractive towns and retained wall paintings from the bishops of nearby Cologne, but lacquered and a mirror cabinet. Berggeiststraße 31–41. Tel (02232) 362 the top (321 m/1,053 ft). During
fascinating monuments. 12th and 14th centuries, and this was destroyed in 1689. A Nearby stands an octagonal 00. Open Apr–Oct: 9am–6pm daily, the ascent visitors can see the
Blankenheim is famed for its vaulted ceilings from the 16th Baroque palace, Augustusburg, chapel, its interior decoration later in summer. & Neo-Gothic Drachenburg, a
picturesque half­timbered century. The Rheinisches was built on its foundations in modelled on a secluded grotto. palace dating from 1879–84,
houses, the late­Gothic church Freilichtmuseum 1725–8, according It is also worth visiting the Environs and on the top are the ruins of
and the frequently modified Kommern is an to a design by small villa near Augustusburg Two moated houses await the the Gothic Drachenburg, dating
12th­century castle of the counts open­air museum Johann Conrad where the great Surrealist artist visitor at Kerpen, 27 km (17 from the 12th century. The
von Manderscheid­Blankenheim, with examples of Schlaun. It was Max Ernst was born. It now miles) to the north: the small “dragon” in the name relates to
which today is a youth hostel. the building styles named after the houses a small display 16th-century castle of Lörsfeld, the myth of the Nibelungs – the
The source of the Ahr river can typical of the instigator of the commemorating his work. and the Baroque palace of dragon slain by Siegfried was
also be seen here – a house was Northern Eifel. It is building, Elector Another attraction, which Türnich, built in 1756–66. supposed to have lived here.
built over the top of it in 1726. also worth visit ing Merry-go-round at the Klemens August. draws a large number of In Pulheim-Brauweiler, The little town of Königs winter,
In Schleiden, the castle, the town of Phantasialand in Brühl The building visitors is Phantasialand, 30 km (19 miles) to the north, at the foot of the mountains, has
built in the 12th century and Euskirchen, which was almost Germany’s largest theme park. is an extremely beautiful picturesque 17th-century half-
frequently rebuilt up until the has an attractive Gothic church immediately refurbished, with Several days are needed to Benedictine monastery, timbered houses, town houses
18th century, is worth visiting. with superb furnishings, and a new façade and furnishings, see all the attractions of this founded in 1024. Building and late 19th-century hotels.
There is also a late­Gothic church the moated castle of Veynau the work of François de vast fairground with its roller- began in 1048, funded by
with valuable stained­glass (14–15th centuries). The spa Cuvilliés, and in the 1940s a coaster, water-rides and merry- Rycheza, the wife of the Polish Environs
windows and an impressive town of Bad Mün stereifel dates new staircase was completed go-rounds. King Boleslav Chrobry. Bad Honnef, 6 km (4 miles)
organ dating from 1770. to a design by Balthasar to the south, is a charming
Probably the most beautiful Neumann. After devastation in spa town known as “Nice
town in this region is Monschau, World War II, the palace was on the Rhine”, where the
which until 1919 was called carefully restored, and the former chancellor Konrad
Montjoie. It is known also for the magnificently furnished late­ Adenauer lived until his death.
Montjoier Dütt chen (croissants) Baroque and Rococo interior, A museum commemorates
and an excellent mustard. The especially a stunning dining this great politician.
ruin of a 13th­century castle room designed by Cuvilliés, can Situated 15 km (9 miles) to
towers on a hill. At its foot, the now be seen again. A path the north is Siegburg, home to
Rur river runs through a narrow leads from the orangery to a a Benedictine monastery from
valley, with attractive small Gothic church built for the 1064 (closed to the public). The
towns, narrow, steep streets Franciscans in the 15th century. present church is a 17th-century
and timber­frame houses from The Annunciation on the high building, reconstructed after
various eras. In Hasenfeld visitors altar is the work of Johann World War II. The Anno-Schrein
can see a dam dating from 1904, The picturesque town of Monschau Wolfgang van der Auwer, while is a magnificent Romanesque
and an amazing hydro­electric preserves many historic buildings the magnificent canopy above The Baroque Schloß Augustusburg in Brühl reliquary box dating from 1183.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp500–501 and pp526–9

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