Wassenach: Local History and Volcanic Traces

Wassenach combines historic buildings with the history of volcanic rock: St. Remigius and the Burghaus shape the historic village landscape, while Mauerley brings together geological features, evidence of past quarrying and a habitat for rare species. The Höhlen- und Schluchtensteig trail also passes directly by Wassenach. This lets you focus on different themes, from church art and local history to geology and hiking plans. Check the route before setting off.

Church and Historic Village Landscape

The three-aisled Neo-Romanesque parish church of St. Remigius was completed in 1852. Its smaller tower comes from a chapel first mentioned in 1322; the newer tower was completed in 1898. The church’s furnishings include a marble high altar from 1771 with figures of Augustine, Remigius and Ambrose, as well as stained-glass windows donated by Wassenach families in 1928. The building’s design, towers and furnishings thus offer different clues to the church’s history.

Built in 1772, the Burghaus is the centrepiece of the historic buildings in Wassenach’s village centre. The church and the Burghaus offer different perspectives on the historic village landscape: St. Remigius brings together church architecture, the history of its towers and art, while the Burghaus is a defining feature of the old buildings in the village centre. If you are interested in the development of the village, these buildings complement one another as cultural themes, without suggesting a set order for visiting them.

Mauerley: Rock, Habitat and Traces of Use

Mauerley in Wassenach is a naturally exposed basalt lava flow. Its fields of boulders provide a habitat for some rare animal and plant species. Mauerley also bears traces of quarrying: evidence of extraction by wedge splitting and blasting can be seen there. Evidence of Roman quarrying of volcanic material has also been preserved; basanite was also extracted there in the Middle Ages and modern era. Geology and the history of use can therefore be explored through different features, without conflating the different materials or periods.

Mauerley is freely accessible at all times. Check access before your visit, as access arrangements may change if site management changes in the future.

Hiking and Geological Themes

The Höhlen- und Schluchtensteig is a long-distance hiking trail that passes directly by Wassenach. If you would like to include it in your plans, check the route before departure. This will help you plan your hike around the course of the long-distance trail.

The Laacher See National Geopark focuses on the geological history and quarrying history of the volcanic Eastern Eifel. Its offerings include geopaths, hiking and cycling trails, visitor mines and museums. Lake Laach bears witness to one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in Central Europe. Maria Laach was founded in 1093. These regional themes range from geological and industrial traces to a historic founding date.

Regional History in the Ahrweiler Destination

Within the wider Ahrweiler destination, the Ahrweiler District Archives is a local history information and advisory centre for historical and local history questions about the region. If you would like to place your impressions of Wassenach’s architectural and local history in a broader historical context, this regional advisory centre is a helpful point of reference.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Oberdürenbach, Weibern, Wehr, Spessart, Schelborn, Glees, Oberzissen, Schalkenbach.

Back to the regional travel overview: Brohltal.