Ober Kostenz combines a long local history with a distinctive architectural character: numerous carefully restored half-timbered houses shape the village’s character. Archaeological finds and the dated construction phases of the Protestant church offer further historical perspectives. For active days, there is hiking and cycling in the surrounding area, as well as recurring local events.
Village character, archaeology and church history
The first documented mention of Ober Kostenz dates to 1220: the village appears in a property register of St. Maximin’s Abbey in Trier. Early Roman settlement is also documented in Ober Kostenz. Graves dating from the 1st century were excavated near the village in 1939 and 1949. A large prehistoric burial ground was excavated during those years beside today’s district road 10, heading toward the Hunsrückhöhenstraße. In 1993, Ober Kostenz was named the most beautiful municipality in the Koblenz administrative district.
Several construction and renovation dates can be distinguished at the Protestant church: the church is dated to 1745, the nave was built in 1745–1746, and the church tower was renovated in 1700. The wooden interior furnishings were renewed in 1890. The church also houses a Stumm organ dating from 1891. Taken together, these dates form a distinct building history that cannot be reduced to a single year of construction.
Hiking, cycling and events
Ober Kostenz is surrounded by meadows and forests; the surrounding area is suitable for hiking and cycling. Hiking options associated with Ober Kostenz include the Hunsrückhöhenweg and the signposted Mosel-Nahe hiking trail. The Hunsrückhöhenweg is around 170 kilometers long and runs between Boppard and Bernkastel-Kues. The Mosel-Nahe hiking trail is 60.8 kilometers long and runs between Zell, Kirchberg and Martinstein. The routes therefore differ considerably in their stated lengths and named endpoints.
The annual Bier-Backes-Schlemmertour is a hike through Ober Kostenz, Nieder Kostenz, Schwarzen and Metzenhausen. Along the way, local specialties are served, freshly prepared in the Backes oven or on the grill. The tour brings visitors to the Ober Kostenz region; event dates and specific dishes may change from year to year. The annual Lichterhaus in Ober Kostenz also attracts visitors from near and far. Dates and presentation may vary. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the latest information in advance.
The Rhine-HunsrĂĽck district as a regional setting
The Rhine-Hunsrück district encompasses large parts of the Hunsrück plateau and adjoining quartzite ridges to the south, such as the Soonwald. The district also includes the part of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley on the left bank of the Rhine; in the Middle Rhine Valley area, the Rhine also forms the district’s eastern boundary. Parts of the Hunsrück-Mittelrhein collective municipality and the town of Boppard belong to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Upper Middle Rhine Valley, which was recognized in 2002. The district has numerous hiking trails, including the certified Soonwaldsteig premium hiking trail.
Discover more destinations: Braunshorn, Bickenbach, Schwall, Buchholz, Schlierschied, Beulich, Dillendorf, AlterkĂĽlz
For the main travel overview: Rhine-HunsrĂĽck.
