Sinzig brings together stories from different eras: Roman archaeology, medieval trade routes and architecture. The surrounding area also offers destinations for hikers. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus on local history, architecture or the landscape.
Roman traces and the history of the roads
Sinzig’s royal estate on the Aachen–Frankfurt military road is documented as early as 762. In the Middle Ages, this road ran through Sinzig and served as a trade, coronation and pilgrimage route. Along the military road, pronounced sunken lanes can be found on the uphill routes between Bad Bodendorf and Kirchdaun. These offer another point of interest if you are interested in the historic route.
Sinzig Castle Museum brings together collections on local history, prehistory, Roman archaeology and art history. One notable aspect of Roman history is Sinzig’s terra sigillata workshop: it was the only one in the Roman province of Germania Inferior whose products achieved wide distribution. As exhibitions may change, it is worth checking the current programme before your visit.
Castle, church and local life
Sinzig Castle was built between 1854 and 1858 in the Neo-Gothic style on the foundations of a medieval moated castle. The surrounding park was designed by Peter Joseph Lenné and is used for walks and relaxation. Cultural events and concerts are regularly held in the castle’s former salon; the specific programme may vary.
St. Peter’s is considered an important late Romanesque religious building in the Rhineland and has been protected as cultural property under the Hague Convention since 1998. The church houses a late Gothic winged altarpiece from 1480 depicting scenes from the lives of Jesus and Mary. The town hall, St. Peter’s and places to eat and drink are all gathered around the church square. The square also hosts events, markets and festivals; dates vary.
The preserved Wiekhaus on Elsa-Brändström-Ring is a visible trace of the former town fortifications. The church square, the castle and this remnant of the former defences offer different points of interest for a cultural-history walk, with each stop covering a different topic.
The mouth of the Ahr and hiking destinations
The Ahr estuary nature reserve, where the Ahr meets the Rhine, is a destination for hikers and cyclists. The mouth of the Ahr is considered the only natural or renaturalised mouth of a tributary into the Rhine. This makes it a distinctive landscape to explore alongside Sinzig’s historic sites.
At the Feltenturm, 58 steps lead up to a 360-degree panorama over the valleys of the Rhine, Ahr, Hellenbach and Harbach. The seventh stage of the AhrSteig runs very close to the tower; the Feltenturm and Cäcilia-Hütte can be combined as a hiking break. Before your visit, check local access conditions and, if you plan to visit the hut, its opening status.
Plan your journey
Sinzig station is accessible from Remagen by RE5 and RB26 trains and by bus 851. RB30 also runs between Bonn and Walporzheim along the relevant rail corridor. Timetables may change, so check connections before you travel. If you plan to visit the museum, attend an event or go to the Feltenturm, it is also worth factoring changing programmes and the access conditions mentioned above into your plans.
Discover more destinations: Bad Bodendorf, Löhndorf, Bad Breisig, Adenau, Grafschaft, Wimbach, Brohl-Lützing, Brohltal.
For the regional travel overview: Ahrweiler.
