Discover Lonnig

Lonnig brings a distinctive church heritage together with a history that dates back to Roman settlement. The former collegiate church continues to shape the village’s appearance; its surviving choir was built in the first two decades of the 13th century. At the same time, remains of buildings from the Roman settlement period have been found repeatedly; they originated from a Roman villa, an agricultural estate. Another facet of Lonnig is its reputation as a “Horse-Friendly Municipality.”

Traces in the village’s history

The choir provides a concrete chronological anchor for the building history of the former collegiate church: it was built in the first two decades of the 13th century and survives to this day. Together with the prominent church, it points to a medieval layer of the village’s history. Roman settlement tells a different story: it originated in an agricultural villa, and building remains have been found repeatedly. Thus, Roman settlement history and medieval church architecture stand side by side in Lonnig.

The designation “Horse-Friendly Municipality” is also part of Lonnig’s identity. It adds another facet to the municipality’s historical connections.

More cultural themes in the wider destination of Mayen-Koblenz

The wider destination of Mayen-Koblenz offers further, distinct cultural themes. The examples highlight different aspects: medieval architectural history, industrial heritage, aristocratic family history, designed landscapes and volcanism.

In Mayen, Genovevaburg is one of the city’s landmarks. Archbishop Heinrich von Finstingen of Trier had it built in 1280. Sayner Hütte presents a different historical focus: it is an anchor point on the European Route of Industrial Heritage and the only monument in Rhineland-Palatinate to receive this distinction. Following restoration, the foundry offers modern exhibitions and multimedia displays, as well as guided tours and creative workshops.

Sayn Abbey offers another perspective on regional architectural history. It was founded around 1200, and its abbey church was consecrated in 1202. The abbey’s exterior paintings date from around 1255 and are considered the best-preserved examples from the High Middle Ages in Germany. Here, the foundation, church consecration and a later artistic highlight form a closely connected historical sequence.

At the New Museum Schloss Sayn, Prince Alexander and Princess Gabriela give visitors a private glimpse into the life of their aristocratic family. One hands-on attraction for younger visitors is the Children’s Realm, where they can try on historical costumes. Families looking for an interactive museum experience alongside architectural history will find a different theme here from the historic churches and industrial heritage.

Sayn Palace Park contrasts with the museum and building themes. Architect Carl Friedrich Thelemann designed it between 1840 and 1850 as an English landscape garden, commissioned by Prince Ludwig Adolf Friedrich zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn. The park features a palace pond with a fountain, winding paths, numerous benches and secluded quiet spots. Its design and features make it a distinct focus within the cultural and landscape history of the wider destination.

Craft and technology are also represented: Hein’s Mill is the only one of the 20 mills that once operated in Bendorf and the surrounding area that is still fully functional. The mill museum shows and explains the stages of the milling process as well as the importance of the milling trade in the region. In Bendorf, St. Medard brings the Protestant and Catholic churches together under one roof; the so-called Ecumenical Portal connects them.

Other museum themes range from volcanism to cold-water geysers. The Lava Dome in Mendig is Germany’s volcano museum. The Geyser Museum explains in five exhibition areas how the world’s tallest cold-water geyser works. The museums’ subjects are clearly distinct: volcanism on the one hand, and how a geyser works on the other.

For an active way to explore the region, the 33-kilometre Vulkanpark Cycle Route runs from Mayen via Mendig, Kretz and Plaidt to Andernach. It connects numerous attractions in the Volcanic Park on a relaxed, family-friendly route. The route offers a separate travel option within the wider destination of Mayen-Koblenz and is distinct from the local-history themes described in Lonnig.

More destinations

Weißenthurm, Dieblich, Weitersburg, Nickenich, Einig, Kettig, Ochtendung, Langscheid

To the overview of the wider destination: Mayen-Koblenz.