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Auf einer bewaldeten Anhöhe steht die Burgruine der Burg Lahr, der Turm ragt in den blauen Himmel.

Time travel

Museums, churches, castles and historic buildings

Imposing churches, enchanted castles, historic half-timbered houses and interesting museums - the Westerwald-Sieg holiday region is an Eldorado for anyone interested in history. Embark on a journey through time and immerse yourself in bygone times that still characterise our region today. Not only the well-known highlights such as Friedewald and Schönstein castles, the red chapel or Marienthal monastery are particularly worth seeing. Hidden insider tips such as the Heister Chapel, the Siegerland Cathedral in Niederfischbach or the bell house in Wallmenroth are also worth seeing. The half-timbered village of Mehren, with its Romanesque church and beautiful half-timbered houses, is one of the most beautiful villages in the region. On rainy days, you can visit one of our exciting museums. In the Westerwald and along the River Sieg, you can travel back in time at every turn.

Museums

There are several museums to discover in the region. For example, would you like to find out more about the father of the co-operative idea? Then the Raiffeisen Museum in Hamm (Sieg) or the Raiffeisen House in Flammersfeld are the right places for you. Are you interested in art? Then you can find out more about the famous painter and marvel at his works at the Otto Pfeiffer Museum in Freusburg. In the local history museum in Daaden, the town museum in Kirchen or the Haus der Heimatfreunde Hamm (Sieg), you can find out more about the history of the towns and their surroundings. You can learn all about the mining culture and history of the region at the mining museum in Herdorf-Sassenroth. Find out interesting facts about the everyday life and hard work of the miners and the raw materials that were mined throughout the region. Beer lovers will find over 2000 types of beer from all over Germany and the world in the beer museum in Bitzen near Hamm (Sieg). Elvis fans will get their money's worth at the Elvis Museum in Kircheib.

Castles and palaces

Many castles and palaces in the Westerwald-Sieg holiday region are privately owned and can therefore unfortunately only be viewed from the outside. Nevertheless, this view is also worthwhile. Schönstein Castle towers over the Sieg near Wissen and is home to an excellent game room with game specialities from local hunts. The Renaissance castle of Friedewald in the village of the same name is a wonderful photo motif. The surrounding forest invites you to take a long walk. Wildenburger Land is home to the eponymous Wildenburg, which, like Crottorf and Schönstein castles, is still inhabited by the von Hatzfeldt family. You can visit parts of the grounds of the imposing moated castle of Crottorf. Crottorf Castle is the residence of Hermann Count Hatzfeldt-Wildenburg-Dönhoff. The early medieval hilltop castle of Freusburg is now one of the most frequently booked youth hostels in Germany. Probably built around 1100, it served as a forest dwelling for a long time. Today, only ruins remain of Lahr Castle in the village of the same name above the Wiedtal valley. You can reach the eerily beautiful castle ruins on a short walk from the village of Burglahr.

Churches and chapels

The absolute time travel highlight in our Westerwald-Sieg region is the Marienthal pilgrimage monastery. The former Franciscan monastery is located in the small village of the same name and is still a meeting place today. One of the most beautiful churches in the entire Westerwald is located in Daaden. The Protestant baroque church in Daaden was built in 1136, extended in the 18th century and renovated in 1959. Today, the imposing building is a listed building. You should also not miss the Siegerländer dom in Niederfischbach. With its two imposing towers, it towers over the market square in Niederfischbach, where it was built at the end of the 19th century. You will find other impressive churches throughout the towns in the Westerwald-Sieg region, such as the Romanesque pillar basilica in Kircheib, the half-timbered church in Mehren, the Catholic church of St Ignatius in Betzdorf, the tent-roofed church of St Elisabeth in Birken-Honigsessen and the Kreuzerhöhungskirche in Wissen. There are numerous chapels around Friesenhagen in particular, such as the Red Chapel in Friesenhagen, which commemorates the persecution of witches in the 17th century. In the baroque church of St Sebastian in Friesenhagen, there is also a particularly elaborately designed tomb of the von Hatzfeldt family. In the Kreuzerhöhungskirche church in Wissen, you can marvel at some frescoes by the famous painter Peter Hecker. The chapel trail leads to various chapels of art-historical interest around Wissen. A guided tour must be booked to visit the chapels.

Historic buildings

You can discover numerous historic half-timbered buildings during a visit to the Westerwald-Sieg region. The half-timbered village of Mehren, which is considered one of the most beautiful villages in the entire Westerwald region, plays a special role. Here you should definitely not miss the village church, the two school buildings or the old dungeon, also known as "Bulles'Je". The imposing half-timbered gatehouse of the Junkernthal estate near Kirchen is also worth a detour. The bell house in Wallmeroth, probably built in the 17th century, also shines in half-timbered style and today wedding couples can get married here. The former Dickendorfer, Steinchens and Freusburger Mühle grain mills blend romantically into the landscape. The owners of the Dickendorfer Mühle run a café and rent out cosy guest rooms.

Spend the night in historic buildings

Experience history up close and spend the night in unique historic walls! Freusburg Youth Hostel, a medieval hilltop castle, invites you to take a special break, while the Romantikhotel Alte Vogtei, a half-timbered house from the time of Raiffeisen, combines historical charm with modern comfort. Or stay at the Hotel Germania, which is housed in a former brewery and boasts a unique ambience.

Alle Unterkünfte

Guided tours and events

Embark on an exciting journey into the past! Explore museums, castles and fortresses, take part in a city tour or accompany the night watchman in Altenkirchen on his tour through history. Experience first-hand how the past comes alive!

All events

Map view Time travel

Here you can find all the excursion destinations and interesting hiking routes for your holiday planning on the subject of time travel in the map view: Museums, castles and palaces, art and culture, old and secret, churches and buildings.

Durch ein Tor in einer Bruchsteinmauer schaut man auf ein altes Fachwerkhaus in Freusburg
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