Contwig offers churches with a range of historical features, as well as activities involving water, play and exercise. St. Laurentius was consecrated in 1906, while the Martin Luther Church was first mentioned as St. Thomas as early as 1272. There is also a recreation area with two shell-shaped play islands, an outdoor pool and the Pirminius Cycle Route along the Schwarzbach. You can plan your trip around culture, recreation or both.
Churches and History in Contwig
St. Laurentius was consecrated on 14 May 1906 and built in the neo-Gothic style. Craftspeople from Contwig carried out the excavation, masonry, stonework, carpentry and plastering. The high altar was created by sculptor Heinz Schiestl as a Gothic winged altar. The organ was built in 1932 and has 28 stops. The parish of St. Laurentius also includes a Lourdes grotto, which was consecrated on 26 May 1946.
The first mention of the Martin Luther Church dates back to 1272, when it was called St. Thomas. The former parish church was incorporated into Hornbach Abbey in 1309. The historic Stumm organ was installed in 1843 and is used for concerts. Contwig stonemasons Jakob Schreiber and Jakob Stauch worked on the altar and the memorial plaques. By comparison, St. Laurentius is notable for its neo-Gothic design and local craftsmanship, while the Martin Luther Church stands out for its long history of names and its Stumm organ.
Water and Recreation
Contwig’s recreation area includes two shell-shaped play islands. The second island has pumps, water steps, channels, stepping stones and rock features. The recreation area also includes a barbecue area, tennis courts and a kiosk. The outdoor pool offers a different focus: diving boards at heights of one, three and five metres, a fun pool for non-swimmers with a water slide, and a pool for toddlers and babies with a water mushroom. This makes it easy to distinguish between water play in the recreation area and the pools at the outdoor pool. The outdoor pool operates seasonally; check the latest information before visiting. Facilities and access rules in the recreation area may also change.
Cycling Route, Trail and Time Outdoors
In Contwig, the Pirminius Cycle Route follows the Schwarzbach along a well-maintained cycle path. The Steinhauerweg is 16.2 kilometres long and has an elevation gain of 396 metres. These two route details answer different planning questions: the Pirminius Cycle Route is defined by its course along the stream, while the Steinhauerweg’s distance and elevation gain give you an idea of its scope. The Steinhauerweg details may be updated; check the latest information when planning your trip.
The Hahnberghütte in Contwig has a barbecue area and a play meadow. These facilities may also change, so check if you are relying on them for your stay.
The Southwest Palatinate as a Regional Setting
The Palatinate Forest shapes the landscape of the Southwest Palatinate. Marked trails wind through dense forests, over gentle hills and past red sandstone cliffs. The Devil’s Table near Hinterweidenthal is a popular excursion destination and is 14 metres high. This look at the landscape and rock formations extends beyond Contwig to the wider region.
Discover more destinations: Rodalben, Trulben, Hinterweidenthal, Käshofen, Rumbach, Schindhard, Wilgartswiesen, Lemberg
View the regional travel overview: Southwest Palatinate.
