Erftstadt: Culture, Tradition and Regional Discoveries

Culture and tradition can be seen in Erftstadt in a variety of ways: at the “KM51 – Das Erftmuseum” museum, the historic town hall in Lechenich and the Gymnicher Ritt. Together, they offer different ways to explore the city’s history—from a more recent exhibition topic to architectural history and a procession that takes place every year.

Museum, Architecture and Tradition in Erftstadt

The “KM51 – Das Erftmuseum” museum at Gymnicher Mühle added an exhibition on the “2021 Flood” from 10 November 2023. The addition brought an event from 2021 into focus as a dedicated exhibition topic. This theme thus sits alongside the historic buildings and enduring traditions that also shape Erftstadt.

In Lechenich, the historic town hall stands on the market square. It was built in 1862 in the neo-Gothic style, based on plans by Zwirner, the Cologne Cathedral master builder. The district’s architectural character also includes numerous manor houses and townhouses dating from the early 19th century. The two dates highlight a specific difference: the residential and manor houses predate the 1862 town hall. Those interested in architecture will therefore find more than one architectural style or period to explore here.

The Gymnicher Ritt offers a different perspective. The procession, well known far beyond the region, passes through Gymnich and around the village’s fields every year on Ascension Day. Its fixed connection to the holiday makes the date a useful anchor for planning your trip: if you would like to experience the procession, plan your visit for Ascension Day.

More Cultural Destinations in the Rhein-Erft District

The wider travel destination of the Rhein-Erft district offers everything from historic buildings to museums with a range of themes. The district’s attractions include palaces, castles, museums and historic mills. It is also part of the Cologne Lowland, one of the regions in Germany with the most moated castles. Since 1984, Augustusburg Palace in Brühl, together with Falkenlust Palace and the gardens of Brühl, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Frechen, KERAMION houses collections of modern and historic ceramics.

The museums also differ in format. The BERGHEIMAT Museum explores the history of Bergheim; listening and activity stations, as well as a small museum cinema, bring its displays to life. It features both permanent and temporary exhibitions. This means that across the wider Rhein-Erft district, visitors can choose between the KERAMION collections and BERGHEIMAT’s history-focused themes relating to Bergheim, according to their cultural interests.

Nature and Active Experiences in the Region

The Rhein-Erft district offers hiking, cycling and water sports as recreational activities. There is a dedicated Moated Castles Route for cycling. The Erftaue Landscape Park at the Gymnicher Mühle Nature Park Centre can be explored on foot. Kasterer See is located right beside Bedburg-Kaster, the place it is named after. These examples offer different points of interest for planning a regional trip; they do not all involve the same activity or place.

The wider travel destination of the Rhein-Erft district is home to the Friesheimer Busch Environmental and Nature Park Centre, in the Friesheimer Busch woodland in Erftstadt. It offers practical and theoretical nature conservation work, as well as education for sustainable development. The teaching bakery at the Gymnicher Mühle Nature Park Centre offers a different hands-on experience: course participants can use professional baking equipment and shape their own small baked creations. Participation in the course is explicitly required for this activity.

Focus your search on the experiences that matter for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Buir, Wesseling, Pulheim, Brühl, Bergheim, Frechen, Hürth.

Go to the wider travel overview: Rhein-Erft district.