At the restored St James’s Square stands a St James’s Cross dating from 1749. The red sandstone depicts Saint James as a pilgrim, with a staff, shell and hat. The cross connects a specific place in Plein with a depiction whose individual attributes are easy to recognise.
Landscape between the Eifel and the Wittlich Depression
Plein lies between the Volcanic Eifel and the Moselle Eifel, on the northern edge of the Wittlich Depression. The valleys of the Lieser, Lambach and Otterbach, as well as the Seibertsgraben, shape the surrounding landscape. Both the Eifel areas and the depression and its named valleys are important to understanding the location. Plein cannot be described solely through its buildings: the landscape and local history offer distinct points of focus when planning a stay.
Chapels, a church and a former railway station
Notable sights in Plein include the 17th-century Marienkapelle and the branch church of St James, built in 1825. A wayside chapel near Unkenstein is associated with the lost village of Ankast and a medieval pilgrimage route. The St James’s Cross at St James’s Square adds to these local landmarks. The restored former railway station offers a different historical note and is considered an industrial monument. Sacred buildings, a memorial to a lost place and a relic of the industrial age stand side by side, without needing to be combined into a single story.
More to explore in the wider destination of Bernkastel-Wittlich
The wider destination of Bernkastel-Wittlich brings together the Volcanic Eifel, the romantic Moselle Valley and the Hunsrück, with its abundant forests and meadows. At 816 metres, the Erbeskopf offers a starting point for hikes; there are also a variety of winter sports opportunities. The National Park Gate at the Erbeskopf provides information about nature and the environment and features an interactive multimedia exhibition focusing on forests and peatlands. These themes complement Plein’s own landscape and cultural character as offerings of the wider destination, rather than as local features of Plein.
Hiking and cycling routes in the region
In Manderscheid, two medieval castle ruins face each other from steep rocky spurs above the Lieser. The Manderscheid Castle Trail is a 5.4-kilometre, moderately difficult circular route around the castles; the stated duration is two hours. The Castle Via Ferrata offers a different kind of route: it consists of three stages around the two castles, is about four kilometres long in total, and has a cable-protected section of one kilometre. The details distinguish the two options by route length, stated duration and protected section.
For cyclists, the Maare-Moselle Cycle Path runs for 58.5 kilometres from Daun to Bernkastel-Kues along a disused railway line. A bike bus takes cyclists from Bernkastel-Kues back to the starting point; the return trip can be booked in advance. The circular hiking route, multi-stage via ferrata and cycle path therefore offer different ways to explore the wider destination.
Culture and wine as further options
The cultural attractions in the wider destination also offer a range of experiences. The pilgrimage church of Maria Heimsuchung in Klausen was consecrated in 1502; Klausen continues to welcome pilgrims every year. The Cylinder House showcases 90 years of German automotive history and more than 100 cars, motorcycles and vans. The Cusanus birthplace in Kues houses a permanent exhibition about Nicholas of Cusa; the building is used as a museum and event venue.
For a culinary experience, visit the wine shop in the historic vaulted cellars of St Nicholas Hospital. Wine tastings featuring wines from the Moselle, Saar and Ruwer are offered there. The selection includes 100 wines, from quality wines to ice wine. If you’re looking for a hotel in Plein, you might first consider whether Plein’s chapels, St James’s Cross and landscape will shape your stay, or whether you’re also interested in the wider destination of Bernkastel-Wittlich and its diverse attractions.
Discover more destinations: Minderlittgen, Landscheid, Bruch, Klausen, Osann-Monzel, Heidweiler, Dodenburg, Dreis
Back to the wider travel overview: Wittlich.
