Girod combines a distinctive clay landscape with the history of the Eisenbach and historic religious buildings in Girod and Kleinholbach. Here, therefore, raw-material extraction, mills and church architecture stand side by side as distinct themes. The wider Westerwald destination offers additional nature, museum and hiking attractions.
Clay Mining and the Landscape in Girod
Girod’s characteristic clay landscape includes the municipality’s clay deposits and the ongoing, terraced open-pit mining of Westerwald clay. Clay is also known as “white gold.” The raw material and mining method shape the landscape; the open pit is part of Girod’s landscape today.
The Eisenbach and Its Mills
The Eisenbach flows through Girod and Kleinholbach and is depicted on the municipal coat of arms. Five mills are historically documented along the stream: SchultheiĂźenmĂĽhle, StruthmĂĽhle, DollmĂĽhle, MichelmĂĽhle and FreimĂĽhle. Some are partially preserved. Their names provide tangible points of reference for the history of milling; at the same time, the river, coat of arms and mills represent different facets of local cultural and landscape history. This connection between a stream and the traditional mill names makes the subject distinct from clay mining.
Churches in Girod and Kleinholbach
The architectural history can also be traced through both districts. St. Jakobus in Girod was rebuilt in 1786 on the site of an earlier chapel. The present St. Peter and Paul Chapel in Kleinholbach was built in 1771. The two dates point to different building histories: in Girod, a church was rebuilt on the site of an older chapel, while the chapel in Kleinholbach dates from 1771. Together, the buildings provide a tangible historical context for Girod and Kleinholbach.
More to Explore in the Wider Westerwald Destination
The Stöffel Park offers a distinct focus in the Westerwald. Covering around 140 hectares, the site of a former basalt quarry combines industrial heritage, geological history and nature. The TERTIÄRUM displays fossils, including the famous “Stöffel mouse,” which document around 25 million years of Earth’s history. Thus, the wider Westerwald destination offers basalt, industrial history and fossils alongside Girod’s connection with clay.
The Westerwald Ceramics Museum explores the history of working with clay. The objects on display usually originated in a Westerwald clay pit. In the well-equipped museum workshop, you can get creative yourself under expert guidance. Check current workshop dates and booking conditions before your trip. The museum offers another perspective on clay in the Westerwald, while Girod’s own connection is shaped by its clay deposits and open-pit mining.
Hiking in the Westerwald
When planning longer hikes, the WesterwaldSteig and Druidensteig differ in length and how their stages are organized. The WesterwaldSteig runs for 235 kilometers through the Westerwald and comprises 16 stages. The Druidensteig covers 94 kilometers in seven day stages through seven river valleys; there are more than 30 geo-information points along the route. These details allow you to compare the two long-distance trails in terms of length and thematic focus. Before setting out on a specific hike, check the current route planner and details on stages and geo-information points.
Discover more destinations: Molsberg, Alpenrod, Bilkheim, Steinebach An Der Wied, Neustadt/Westerwald, Selters, Westerburg, Kadenbach.
Go to the wider travel overview: Westerwald.
