Würselen: Castle History, Traditions and Green Paths

Burg Wilhelmstein: History and Summer Programme

In the 14th century, Count Wilhelm V built Burg Wilhelmstein in Bardenberg, high above the Wurm Valley, on the ruins of an earlier fortress. This had already been built in 1216 by the Archbishop of Cologne. The site was on the former border between the Duchy of Jülich and the Aachen Reich.

Today, every year during the summer months, the open-air stage at Burg Wilhelmstein presents a cultural programme featuring concerts, musicals, comedy, cabaret and open-air cinema. The castle’s historic atmosphere, surrounded by greenery, provides the setting for the events. Which performances take place depends on the programme for that year; if you have a specific visit in mind, it is worth checking the dates. Burg Wilhelmstein also has a mini-golf course.

Restaurant Burg Wilhelmstein in Würselen serves seasonal cuisine featuring regional specialities. The menu includes salads, meat and fish dishes, and vegetarian creations.

Jungenspiele Festivities and Würselen Landmarks

The Jungenspiele tradition has been observed in Würselen since at least 1620. Every year, the Jungenspiele festivities reach their peak with the large fair three weeks after Pentecost. The Jungenspiele groups parade through the streets; beforehand, there is an acrobatic flag-waving performance in front of St. Sebastian’s Parish Church.

St. Sebastian’s Parish Church was founded before 870 AD and is considered Würselen’s best-known landmark. Locals affectionately call it the “Cathedral.” Another focal point of the tradition is the Jungenspiel Fountain: the fountain, decorated with motifs from the Jungenspiele, was installed near the town hall in 1991. Created by Aachen artist Bonifatius Stirnberg, it is a popular meeting place and attraction for people of all ages.

The Altes Rathaus Cultural Centre at Kaiserstraße 36 is a listed building and a cultural meeting place. The public municipal library is on the ground floor. Upstairs are five multifunctional rooms, an exhibition area and an event hall with 200 seats.

Green Spaces and Trails

The town garden, town forest and Wurm Valley surround Würselen, providing green spaces for relaxation that are suitable for hiking, cycling and horse riding. Four signposted routes begin at car parks in Würselen Town Forest. They are between 1.5 and 5 kilometres long and offer opportunities for hiking, jogging or enjoying nature. The Wurm Valley nature reserve in Würselen is also suitable for outdoor activities on foot, by bike or on horseback.

The Wurm Valley and Broichbach Valley stretch across the municipal areas of Würselen, Herzogenrath and Alsdorf. A well-signposted, accessible junction-based trail system is available there for walks and outings; every junction is numbered. The cycle routes extend beyond the town limits: Würselen is part of the supraregional cycle route network, whose links across the Aachen city region make cycling trips beyond town boundaries possible.

Würselen is also represented in Grünmetropole, a cross-border regional tourism network. The network brings together nature, cultural and leisure experiences across its towns and municipalities.

Sauna and Leisure at AQUANA

AQUANA in Würselen offers indoor and outdoor sauna facilities. The outdoor area includes a sauna garden with a pond and sun terraces. Younger visitors can enjoy a pirate ship. If you are planning a trip with younger visitors, you can take this into account alongside the castle culture, traditions and green trails when planning your stay.

The Aachen City Region as a Wider Destination

As a wider destination, the Aachen city region lies in the three-country border area, close to the Netherlands and Belgium, in Germany’s far west. The Aachen city region brings together varied natural landscapes, historic town centres and an extensive cycling and hiking infrastructure.

When choosing accommodation in Würselen, you can first consider whether cultural events and historic sites or green trails will shape your trip.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Eschweiler, Alsdorf, Herzogenrath, Simmerath, Erkensruhr, Baesweiler, Roetgen, Stolberg.

Go to the main travel overview: Aachen.