Discover Detzem

Detzem combines views of a distinctive bend in the Moselle with historic traces of St. Maximin Abbey. The Five-Lakes View observation tower and the history of Maximinerhof and the church offer different points of interest: here, the focus is on the landscape; there, on developments spanning several centuries.

The Moselle bend from different viewpoints

The Five-Lakes View observation tower offers a perspective in which the Moselle bend appears five times. Forests and vineyards separate the individual views, so the recurring river bends alternate with different landscape scenes. The view can therefore be appreciated not only as a panorama, but also as a sequence of shapes and spaces in between. Following renovation, the tower reopened in spring 2024.

Detzem’s history at Maximinerhof and the church

Maximinerhof represents Detzem’s historic connection with St. Maximin Abbey: for centuries, it was the centre of the abbey’s manorial administration. The church also points to St. Maximin. It was built in 1735/36 under Abbot Martin Bewer of St. Maximin in Trier; the late Gothic choir from the 15th century was preserved. The church building thus brings together two different periods of construction. Together, Maximinerhof and the church provide two tangible reference points in the town’s history—the abbey’s administrative centre and a church building that retained an older choir.

More topics in the wider Trier-Saarburg destination

Beyond the sights in Detzem, the wider Trier-Saarburg destination offers other topics to help you plan your trip. The district has 492 kilometres of cycle paths. One specific circular route described in more detail is the Tälchen Tour: it is rated moderate, is 37.28 kilometres long, and is listed as taking about 2 hours and 45 minutes. The start and finish are in Konz. The route passes the Wiltinger Saarbogen nature reserve; a detour to the waterfall in Saarburg’s old town is also recommended. The larger cycling network and the specific details of an individual route thus offer different scales for active exploration.

Roman history in the wider destination can also be explored through different forms. In Tawern, the Roman roadside settlement of Tabernae is considered the origin of the town; it was established shortly before the turn of the era on the Roman main road from the Moselle via Metz to Rome. A model of the roadside settlement, at a scale of 1:75, is displayed in a pavilion; the forest is also home to the large reconstructed temple complex. The free ARGO app lets you view the temple complex on site at full scale and in a 360-degree augmented reality presentation. The model, the reconstructed complex and the digital presentation offer different perspectives on the same Roman context.

Saarburg also combines historic buildings with views of the landscape: large sections of the castle’s outer walls and a residential tower have been preserved. Several viewing platforms and the tower offer panoramic views of the Saar Valley. This provides a different perspective from the Five-Lakes View in Detzem: here, the view extends across the Saar Valley and is linked to the surviving parts of the castle.

The Viez Route represents regional food culture in the wider Trier-Saarburg destination. Along the route, fruit growers, fine fruit distillers, farmers, hoteliers and restaurateurs offer information, regional recipes and experiences related to Viez. Culinary topics thus complement the region’s landscape and cultural attractions.

Discover more destinations

Kenn, Biebelhausen, Thörnich, Riol, Freudenburg, Langsur, Ockfen, Ensch

To the overview of the wider destination: Trier-Saarburg.