Thum: Muschelkalk Hills and Early History

Thum combines distinctive landscapes with archaeological traces from the Neolithic, Bronze Age and Roman periods. Muschelkalk hills border the area to the west; nearby Drover Heide and the Burg Thum riding and dressage stable add nature and equestrian themes. This gives your trip planning several different focal points.

Nature between Muschelkalk and heathland

Muschelkalk hills border Thum to the west. Their distinctive climate and the vegetation it gives rise to are protected. Nearby, Drover Heide is an important bird sanctuary; its circular trails and viewpoints invite visitors to enjoy nature. The two areas offer different highlights: the climate and vegetation are protected in the hills, while bird conservation and nature experiences along circular trails and at viewpoints are the focus in Drover Heide.

Traces from several eras

A Neolithic burial mound is still visible on a rise in the fields west of Thum. It is distinct from the Bronze Age burial mounds that accompany a prehistoric road running through Thum. Building remains and cremation graves attest to Roman settlement in Thum, too. During the Roman period, the settlement lay on the Roman road from Nijmwegen to Ürzig on the Moselle. The different historical traces can therefore be distinguished: the still-visible burial mound, the Bronze Age mounds alongside the road, and the Roman settlement remains and Roman road.

Faith and local history

The continued veneration of the three Matrons “Fides, Spes and Caritas” is considered evidence of Celtic and Roman settlement. The Church of St. Fides, Spes et Caritas in Kreuzau-Thum is a branch church of St. Martin Drove. A decree from 2026 provides that religious services may continue to be held in the church as they have been to date, if pastoral needs require it. If you are considering attending a service after December 31, 2026, please check the arrangement again. Archaeological evidence of early settlement and an enduring religious tradition thus offer different ways of exploring local history.

Equestrian sport and the regional setting

Burg Thum is a 5 ha riding and dressage stable set in a landscape with extensive woodlands and many opportunities for trail riding. It lies away from busy roads and the bustle of everyday life. This adds a distinct equestrian focus to the nature and history themes.

In the wider municipality of Kreuzau, hiking and cycling routes pass through forests and valleys and along the RurUfer cycle path. Families also enjoy the Monte Mare leisure pool. For regional planning, these represent different leisure interests: routes through forests and valleys on the one hand, and the leisure pool on the other.

Which focus suits your trip?

When looking for accommodation, first consider whether your focus is on Thum’s landscape and history, or whether you would also like to include the hiking and cycling routes and Monte Mare in the wider municipality of Kreuzau in your plans. This helps you focus your search on the experiences that matter for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Obermaubach.

Go to the overview of destinations in the wider area: Kreuzau.