Ober Kostenz: Half-timbered Houses, History and Tradition

Ober Kostenz combines a village landscape shaped by carefully restored half-timbered houses with a long history. Evidence of early Roman settlement and the first documented mention in 1220 provide historical landmarks. Meadows and forests surround the village, and the area is well suited to hiking and cycling.

History in Buildings and Archaeological Sites

The first documented mention of Ober Kostenz dates to 1220. At the time, the village was recorded in a register of the estates of St. Maximin Abbey in Trier. Early Roman settlement is also part of the village’s history. Burials dating from the 1st century were excavated nearby in 1939 and 1949. A large prehistoric burial ground lay beside today’s county road 10, in the direction of the Hunsrückhöhenstraße; it was also excavated in 1939 and 1949.

Several dates offer a glimpse into the history of the Protestant church: the church tower was renovated in 1700, the church is dated to 1745, and its nave was built in 1745–1746. The wooden interior was renovated in 1890; the church also houses a Stumm organ dating from 1891. Another historical distinction followed in 1993, when Ober Kostenz was named the most beautiful municipality in the Koblenz administrative district.

Numerous carefully restored half-timbered houses shape the character of the village. Together with the dates associated with the church, they create a village landscape in which architecture and different historical periods stand side by side. Those interested in architectural history will find specific points of interest here, while finds from the surrounding area offer a glimpse further into the past.

Hiking, Regional Cuisine and Recurring Events

The Beer, Bakehouse and Food Tour is a hike through Ober Kostenz, Nieder Kostenz, Schwarzen and Metzenhausen. Local specialities are part of the tour, freshly prepared in the bakehouse or on the grill. The event takes place annually; dates and specific offerings may vary from year to year. It combines physical activity with a taste of regional food culture.

The annual display of the illuminated house in Ober Kostenz also attracts visitors from near and far. When it can be seen and what the display is like may vary from year to year. The food tour and the illuminated house offer different experiences: one focuses on hiking and food, the other on the display itself. If you would like one of these events to shape your stay, check the relevant date before you travel.

The area around Ober Kostenz is well suited to hiking and cycling. Two trails of different lengths are also associated with the village: the Hunsrückhöhenweg is about 170 kilometres long and runs between Boppard and Bernkastel-Kues. The signposted Mosel-Nahe Hiking Trail covers 60.8 kilometres between Zell, Kirchberg and Martinstein. Their lengths give a clear sense of scale and help you plan your route.

Rhein-Hunsrück on a Broader Scale

As a wider travel destination, the Rhein-Hunsrück district includes large parts of the Hunsrück plateau and the quartzite ridges to the south, including the Soonwald. In the Middle Rhine Valley area, the Rhine also forms the district’s eastern boundary. Parts of the Hunsrück-Mittelrhein municipal association and the town of Boppard in the Rhein-Hunsrück district are within the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised in 2002.

When choosing accommodation in Ober Kostenz, consider whether you mainly want to explore the village’s history, make the most of the hiking and cycling opportunities, or plan your stay around an annual event. This will help you focus your search on the kind of trip you have in mind and the things that interest you locally.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Dommershausen, Mannebach, Wahlenau, Mastershausen, Morshausen, Dill, Henau, Emmelshausen.

Back to the main travel guide: Rhein-Hunsrück.