Kelsen: St. Gangolf and the Saargau

Church and memorial sites

Kelsen combines architectural history in the village with a place on an official driving tour through the Saargau. St. Gangolf stands at the junction of the roads to Portz and Merzkirchen; the Viezstraße takes the tour through Meurich, Kelsen and Portz to Merzkirchen. This gives you two distinct perspectives to consider when planning your trip: the specific architecture in the village and a drive through a landscape shaped by agriculture.

The official list of monuments for the Trier-Saarburg district, dated 11 September 2024, describes St. Gangolf as a Neo-Gothic hall church with a portal tower dating from 1902. Most of the church’s furnishings date from the time it was built. A hall church is characterised by a main interior space; the term complements the description of its style and tower with its spatial form. The war memorial cross at the western exit of the village on K 120 is also included in the list. Alongside the church, this adds another clearly located memorial and a second perspective on the village’s history.

Driving through the Saargau

The official driving tour “Upper Moselle – Experience wine villages, the Saargau and Roman treasures” includes Kelsen on its route. It follows the Viezstraße through the agriculturally shaped Saargau, with its orchard meadows and open fields, and runs through Meurich, Kelsen and Portz to Merzkirchen. Kelsen is therefore part of a broader landscape: in addition to the village stops mentioned, the tour is also characterised by its agricultural character and open spaces. If you choose to focus on a drive, the route offers a specific connection to the landscape; the church and cross, by contrast, turn your attention to culture and local history.

Trails and fruit-growing culture in Merzkirchen

At the municipal level of Merzkirchen, hiking and pilgrimage routes offer further travel ideas. One route follows an old Roman road from Trier through Merzkirchen to Metz in France; there is also the shorter Three Villages Trail to Mannebach and Fisch. This broadens the regional perspective beyond the driving tour to include routes with a historical connection and a shorter trail with two named destinations. Your planning can therefore take account of different types of routes: a drive through the Saargau or trails to explore on foot.

The municipality of Merzkirchen is also known for its orchard meadows and distilleries producing fine fruit spirits; many distilleries invite visitors to watch the distilling process and sample the products. This culinary and artisanal side complements the themes of landscape and trails. If you would like to include fruit processing in your travel interests, alongside architectural history and outdoor activities, it offers another distinct consideration when choosing your destinations.

Choose the right focus for your trip

If your trip is primarily about St. Gangolf and local history, Kelsen offers specific cultural points of interest. If a drive through orchard meadows and open fields is your priority, the official tour along the Viezstraße offers a suitable way to experience the landscape. For hiking and pilgrimage routes, the trails listed at the municipal level of Merzkirchen are more relevant. If you are planning around several interests, you can weigh these options and then research which place to stay best fits your itinerary.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Wellen, Baldringen, Schoden, Wawern, Lampaden, Wiltingen, Beuren, Züsch.

Return to the main travel overview: Trier-Saarburg.