Miehlen: Local History, the Limes and Hauserbach Lake

Miehlen offers points of interest for anyone wishing to discover local history and traces of the Limes: the historic rectory, the adjoining church and a circular trail planned jointly with neighboring municipalities. Hauserbach Lake offers a different focus, with its paths and places to relax.

At Hauserbach Lake: Paths and Places to Relax

Hauserbach Lake is a reservoir created in 1970, with a water surface of 32,000 m². It provides a habitat for fish. Visitors can enjoy landscaped footpaths, seating, sunbathing lawns and hiking trails around the lake. Swimming and boating are prohibited, so time by the water is better spent on the paths and in the relaxation areas than taking part in activities on the lake.

The lake area has three accessible entry points. Parking is nearby, and a campsite is located close to the lake. Because of the natural terrain, wheelchair users are advised to visit with a companion. Check local visitor regulations before your visit.

The Rectory, Church and Fire Service History

Built in 1609, the rectory is Miehlen’s oldest surviving building. The adjoining church features further historic details: it contains biblical frescoes, a chapel section dating to around 1300, and pulpit inlays from 1603. The different dates invite visitors to look beyond a single year of construction and consider the building’s multiple historical layers.

The Miehlen Fire Service History Museum offers another perspective on local history. Photographs and documents tell the story of the local fire service; the collection also includes helmets, uniforms, medals, brass equipment, hoses and motorized pumps. Visits are arranged by appointment, so a museum visit needs to be planned differently from time spent on the paths by the lake.

The Three Castles Circular Trail and Limes Sites

Planned jointly by Miehlen and neighboring municipalities, the Three Castles Circular Trail connects Miehlen with places associated with the Limes. The named stops include the Pfarrhofen small fort, watchtower 2/25, Holzhausen Fort and the reconstructed Limes fort in Pohl. This adds Roman history as a distinct focus alongside the historic buildings. Check access to each site separately.

The Wider Rhein-Lahn Region

The broader travel destination of Rhein-Lahn extends the perspective beyond Miehlen. The Rhein-Lahn district encompasses the area on the right bank of the Rhine around the mouth of the Lahn, the Lahn Valley to just before Limburg near Diez, the southern foothills of the Westerwald facing the Lahn Valley, and the northern uplands of the Taunus between the Rhine and the Aar. The Roman Limes crosses the district; remains are still visible today and form part of the Upper German-Raetian Limes UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Another historical highlight in the Rhein-Lahn travel destination is the spa ensemble in Bad Ems. The historic ensemble includes the spa house, assembly hall, villas, former hotels, churches, spa gardens and historic panoramic paths. It forms the “Historic Spa Town of Ems” heritage zone. These regional themes offer additional directions for planning a trip without equating them with Miehlen’s own local history and links to the Limes.

Which experiences will shape your stay?

The different highlights also call for different preparation: at the lake, paths and seating areas are the focus for spending time outdoors, while visits to the fire service museum are by appointment. The circular trail, meanwhile, connects several named Limes sites, access to each of which should be checked separately.

Discover more destinations: Berg.

View the wider travel guide: Nastätten.