Discover Kirchsahr: Church Art, Mining History and Hiking

Discover Kirchsahr through two special strands: the art in its small stone church and its mining history. Hiking trails, changing natural scenery and views across the Eifel heights shape the landscape of the Sahrbach Valley. You can tailor your stay to cultural history, nature or outdoor activities. Families, too, will find a range of themes to explore: illustrated stories, mining, plants and animals.

Church History and Late Medieval Art

The church’s history goes back a long way. Its foundations can be traced back to around 1100, and a church is thought to have existed around 1105. The first reliable documentary record dates from 1302. The small stone building was rebuilt around 1730. These dates tell of different layers of time: early foundations, later written records and a renewed church building.

The church contains a late medieval triptych attributed to the Cologne School and dated to around 1400–1408. The Crucifixion is at its centre; 18 additional panels depict scenes from the life and Passion of Christ. The church also houses a rare Turkish Madonna. The altarpiece was originally commissioned by Bad Münstereifel Abbey and has been on display in the church since 1782. Those interested in art history will find not only a date here, but also a multi-panel pictorial programme and the long history of the altarpiece.

Mining History and Traces in the Landscape

Mining continued as a tradition in Kirchsahr well into the 20th century. Former mine shafts provide habitats for bats and other animals; their use can vary seasonally. Today, the underground traces of past mining are also connected to the local wildlife.

At the Gretelstollen, maps show where old mine shafts were located and which ores were mined in Kirchsahr. The entrance is designed to let visitors look inside the mine. Restored mine carts stand in front of it. The maps, mine entrance and mine carts convey different aspects of mining history: the locations of the old shafts, the resources extracted and the work carried out with mine carts.

Hiking Trails in the Sahrbach Valley

The Sahrbach Valley offers views across the Eifel heights and a close-up look at the changing natural scenery of the valley and its surrounding hills. The Sahrbach Valley hiking area includes a network of trails around 80 kilometres long, stretching from Kreuzberg to the state border near Kirchsahr. In the Sahrbach Valley, 19 hiking trails branch off from three main routes. The 8.6-kilometre Sahrbach Trail forms the main route through the hiking area.

The figures provide two levels of orientation: around 80 kilometres for the trail network and a specific length for the main trail. Twelve information panels along the Sahrbach Trail explain the flora, fauna, history, crafts and culture of the Sahrbach Valley. One of the trail’s highlights is the protected wet meadow. For families looking to combine nature and history, the panels offer a range of topics. Check current route information before setting out on a specific hike; trail conditions and information panels may change.

Interests to Guide Your Stay

These interests can help guide your travel planning without requiring you to fit every experience into a single itinerary. Kirchsahr offers a range of starting points for finding a place to stay that suits you—from medieval pictorial art to trails through a changing landscape.

Discover More Destinations

Ahrbrück, Dernau, Berg, Binzenbach, Lind, Liers, Mayschoß, Heckenbach

For the main travel overview: Altenahr.