Üxheim: Monastery Architecture, Castle Ruins and Railway History

A Roman-era lime kiln, churches from different architectural periods, castle ruins and a historic railway station give Üxheim its distinctive character. There are also different highlights outdoors: rare wild orchids grow on Hönselsberg, and the 11-Dörfer-Blick viewpoint has seating and picnic facilities. This makes it easy to plan a trip around architectural history, nature and the region’s railway past.

Architectural history from the Romanesque period to the Baroque

The former Premonstratensian nunnery complex in Üxheim-Niederehe was founded in 1175. It includes a Romanesque monastery church and Baroque monastery buildings. St. Leodegar is also in Niederehe: the former monastery church was built as a late Romanesque hall church in the late 12th century. The lime kiln in Üxheim-Niederehe dates from Roman times and was privately used until the 1930s.

Other churches offer their own historical highlights. Mariä Himmelfahrt in Üxheim is a Neoclassical hall church dating from 1835 to 1837. St. Joseph in Üxheim-Ahütte is a two-bay Baroque hall church built in 1705; St. Katharina in Üxheim-Leudersdorf is a three-bay hall church dating from 1734, with a Baroque wayside shrine. The former parish church choir in Üxheim is a Late Gothic structure from the 16th century.

Neublankenheim Castle stands in Üxheim-Ahütte: a ruin built of rubble stone in the early 14th century, with a four-storey defensive tower. The Festes Haus Dreimühlen is also part of the region’s history; it preserves the remains of the walls of an Arenberg forestry lodge demolished around 1825. The former Arenberg mill in Üxheim-Ahütte comprises three buildings and a millrace; the year 1820 is inscribed on one of the buildings.

Even small details give places a character of their own: opposite the community centre in Leudersdorf stands the bronze sculpture Saint Martin, created by Ulrich Henn. The various buildings and artworks offer several ways to explore the history of individual districts.

Nature and trails around Üxheim

The Hönselsberg nature reserve in Niederehe is known for its rare wild orchids and can only be reached on foot. Loogh is considered a particularly attractive access point. At the 11-Dörfer-Blick in Leudersdorf, you will find seating and picnic facilities; the viewpoint is accessible by car. These two destinations offer different experiences: a walk in a nature reserve and a viewpoint with facilities for sitting and picnicking.

Dreimühlen Waterfall can be reached from Üxheim via cycling or hiking routes. The Eifelsteig is another option for active days: Stage 8 from Mirbach to Hillesheim uses forest trails in Üxheim-Leudersdorf. As the route may change, check it again before setting out.

Railway history at Ahütte Railway Museum

The historic Üxheim-Ahütte railway station was restored to its original state 50 years after rail services ended. It opened as a railway museum in 2023. The collection includes exhibits, literature and railway timetables that recall the Eifel’s railway history. Regular guided tours explain the development of the village station, as well as the historic timetable and ticket sales. If you would like to join a tour, check the booking arrangements in advance.

The railway museum also has a station café serving hot dishes such as pancakes, Eisenbahnerpfanne and Eisenbahnerjause, as well as homemade cakes. Opening arrangements may vary; check them before your visit. This lets you combine railway history with a meal, provided the café is open.

The Volcanic Eifel as a wider travel destination

Üxheim is part of the wider Volcanic Eifel travel destination, whose geological scale extends beyond the individual local attractions. So far, 77 maars have been identified in the Volcanic Eifel. In addition, 350 eruption centres have been counted, around 270 of them from the more recent phase. Ulmen Maar marks the most recent volcanic eruption in the Volcanic Eifel, which took place around 10,900 years ago.

For hiking, the Volcanic Eifel has marked and signposted Volcanic Eifel trails. They lead to scenic highlights on both sides of the Eifelsteig and range from half-day walks to multi-day hikes. As another regional route to consider, the eleventh stage of the Eifelsteig runs from Daun to Manderscheid and is 23.4 kilometres long.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel interests

When looking for accommodation, it helps to first decide which experiences you want your trip to centre on: historic buildings, nature around Hönselsberg, the railway museum or a combination of these. This lets you base your choice on the stay you have planned rather than choosing solely by place name.

Discover more destinations: Bolsdorf, Walsdorf, Berndorf, Wiesbaum, Oberehe-Stroheich, Kerpen, Basberg, Loogh.

For the wider travel overview: Hillesheim.