Themenweg
Von Kurköln zu den Deutschherren - Theme trail
The circular walk forms part of the Moselle Adventure Route and stretches for 7 km through the vineyards and the historic village centres of Zeltingen and Rachtig. Information boards explain how politics, the economy and religion shaped the village community in the past, and how life and work have changed over the centuries. It is worth noting that Zeltingen-Rachtig was an enclave of the Diocese of Cologne (Electorate of Cologne) within the territory of the Diocese of Trier.
From a historical perspective, the cultural trail primarily focuses on the late Middle Ages and the modern era up to the French Revolution; in terms of art history, it covers the periods from the Gothic to the late Baroque.
A glimpse of the walking tour:
A varied, easy walk through the villages and vineyards, offering beautiful views and places to rest, for example at the water treading pool, the knights’ plaque and the grape variety garden.
Zeltingen-Rachtig belonged for over 1000 years to the secular property of the archbishops of Cologne, while ecclesiastically it belonged to the archbishop of Trier. The inhabitants of this traditional wine village owe this to the tradition of St. Kunibert, Archbishop of Cologne and probably born on the Rosenburg above Zeltingen. The ruins of the castle, which can hardly be seen today, were later filled with slate and converted into a vineyard. The cultural trail "From Kurköln to the German Lords" is part of the Moselle Experience Route and leads as a circular route through the vineyards and the historic town centres of Zeltingen and Rachtig. It enriches the highly significant wine cultural landscape of the Moselle with the theme of culture and everyday life in the Moselle village from the Middle Ages to modern times.
Insights into the hiking tour:
Around Zeltingen-Rachtig, the culture trail leads through the vineyards and the historic Ostrkerne of the community. Here you will find evidence of the secular and ecclesiastical past of Trier and Kurköln.
- 7,6 km
- 2:00 h
- 142 m
- 95 m
Route information
Route length: 7,6 km
Difficulty: hard
Hiking time: 2:00 h
Ascent: 141.75 m
Descent: 94.56 m
Start Point: Hotel Deutschherrenhof in the district Rachtig
End Point: Hotel Deutschherrenhof in the district Rachtig
Impressionen
More information
- Rundtour
- familienfreundlich
- kulturell / historisch
- kinderwagengerecht
There are various points where you can join the Kulturweg; this suggested walk starts at the information board opposite the Hotel Deutschherrenhof in the Rachtig district. Alternatively, start in Zeltingen at the Tourist Information Centre and walk the route in the opposite direction. Initially, the route passes through the old centre of Rachtig and then leads you across the village square, past St Mary’s Parish Church, out of the village to the Alt Kirch, which stands right in the middle of the vineyards. Head back a few steps. Keep to the left and climb slowly through the vineyards, past the ‘Rittertafel’, to the viewing platform at the ‘Pastorenkehre’, where the water treading pool promises a refreshing dip in summer.
Downhill, just past the next fork in the path, you’ll spot the Roman wayside shrine. Continuing along the “Alte Heerstraße”, the path maintains a pleasant elevation and leads you downhill through the vineyard garden to the market square, past the parish church of St Stephanus. If you like, you can make a detour beforehand to the ruins of Rosenburg Castle. Surrounded by vineyards and the cultivated landscape, you’ll get a real sense of the ‘Moselle atmosphere’. Much of the village lives from and for winegrowing, mainly Riesling. From the market square, turn left towards the Moselle, then follow the cycle path for a short while. As you do so, you’ll have a good view of the Zeltingen sundial from 1620, the largest fully functional sundial in German vineyards. A little further on, you’ll catch sight of Rosenburg Castle. Return via the cycle path. You can walk back to your starting point in Rachtig either through the centre of Zeltingen or along the banks of the Moselle.
The Kulturweg can be entered at various points, this hiking suggestion starts at the information board number 1 opposite the Hotel Deutschherrenhof in the Rachtig district. At the beginning the route runs through the old village centre of Rachtig and then leads you across the village square out of the village to the old church, which is already in the middle of the vineyards. A few steps back the vineyards are divided. Keeping to the left, you climb slowly through the cultivated areas up to the viewing platform at the Pastor's bend.The Wine Experience Trail, which used to run parallel, turns left here at an acute angle and climbs further uphill through the vineyards, while the Culture Trail now leads to the Roman saint's cottage at a height above Zeltingen. Continuing along the "Alte Heerstraße", the path pleasantly keeps its altitude and leads you further uphill above Zeltingen, until you reach the remains of the Rosenburg. From here you have a beautiful view of the Zeltingen barrage and the construction of the second lock chamber.The path continues along the spur path to the castle ruins back towards Zeltingen. Surrounded by vineyards and the cultural landscape you will feel the typical "Moselle feeling". A large part of the village lives from and for winegrowing, mainly Riesling.Following the further trail along the banks of the Moselle, below the Rosenburg you will come to the Zeltinger Sonnenuhr of 1620, the largest fully functional sundial in German vineyards. Past the later seat of the Kurkölner along the riverbank to the pretty market square of Zeltingen, lined with half-timbered houses. Officially, the hike between Kurköln and the Teutonic Knights ends here. You can walk through the centre of Zeltingen or along the banks of the Moselle back to your starting point in Rachtig.Bernkastel-Kues: Edringer Taxis: 06531 8149, Priwitzer Taxis: 06531 96970, Reitz Taxis: 06531 6455
Nearest/main bus stop: Zeltingen-Rachtig L 189
Bernkastel-Kues: Taxi Edringer: (0049) 6531 - 8149, Taxi Priwitzer: (0049) 6531 - 96970, Taxi Reitz: (0049) 6531 - 6455
Free parking is available in the Gestadestraße at the hotels and in the residential area. Please note that in the high season the parking spaces are mainly occupied by hotel guests.
There are free parking spaces available on Gestadestraße, both at the hotels and in the residential area. Please note that during the peak season, these parking spaces are mainly occupied by hotel guests.
WanderGuide - the hiking brochure in the Bernkastel-Kues holiday region. With description and map (only in German).
WanderGuide – the walking guide for the Bernkastel-Kues holiday region. Includes descriptions and a map.