Discover Alpen

In Alpen, significant architectural history meets the landscape of the Bönninghardt. The Protestant church and the history of life on the Bönninghardt offer different perspectives on local history, while the woodlands invite you to go hiking and enjoy family outings. When planning your trip, you can give culture and nature different levels of priority.

Architectural history in town

The Protestant church in Alpen was built in 1602–1603. It is regarded as the oldest early Baroque church building on the Lower Rhine and the oldest Reformed parish church in Germany. Both distinctions draw attention to different aspects of the building: its architectural classification within the region and its special place in the history of Reformed parish churches. A bronze monument to Electress Amalia of the Palatinate stands beside the church. The church and monument can thus be seen as two clearly identifiable points of reference for exploring Alpen’s cultural history.

The history of the Bönninghardt

The sod hut on the Bönninghardt shows how closely its construction was tied to the materials available: its walls are made of wooden logs and layers of turf. Old farming implements and the interior furnishings illustrate what life there was like in the past. The first settlers arrived on the Bönninghardt around 1770; they and their descendants lived there in very poor conditions until the beginning of the 20th century. This span of time gives the hut a specific historical context: it points to the settlement’s long history of habitation, rather than to a single moment.

For your trip planning, this place complements the church’s architectural history with a different perspective on Alpen: the focus here is on everyday life, agriculture and living conditions on the Bönninghardt. If you are interested in history, the two topics can prompt different questions—the church leads to architectural and religious history, while the sod hut offers insight into the lives of the settlers and their descendants.

Woodlands and landscape on the Bönninghardt

The woodlands of the Bönninghardt are well suited to hiking and family outings. The Bönninghardt is also home to old sweet chestnut trees, known as house trees. Their abundance is considered unique. This makes them one of the area’s distinctive natural features, while the forests provide a setting for outings. There is also a forest playground on the Bönninghardt. Together, these features offer different options for planning a visit: a hike, a family outing or a chance to see the characteristic house trees.

Other cultural and natural highlights in the wider Wesel destination

If you are exploring the wider Wesel destination beyond Alpen, Xanten offers a focus on Roman history. The LVR Archaeological Park Xanten is located on the site of the Roman city of Colonia Ulpia Traiana and is Germany’s largest open-air archaeological museum. The LVR Roman Museum displays numerous original finds from the Roman city and the two legionary camps. They tell the story of the Roman city’s origins, heyday and decline. The park and museum regularly host demonstrations, festivals and activities to watch and take part in. As dates and offerings vary, it is best to check in advance what is taking place during your trip.

Another natural highlight in the wider Wesel destination is Bislicher Insel in Xanten. It is one of the last near-natural floodplain landscapes on the Lower Rhine, and large areas are protected. In winter, the nature reserve serves as winter quarters for several thousand Arctic geese, including greater white-fronted geese and barnacle geese. Three observation huts along the trail offer views of the water; with a little luck, you can spot numerous bird species there. The wintering geese and Roman history in Xanten offer different seasonal and cultural themes to consider as you plan the rest of your trip.

When looking for accommodation in Alpen, you can first consider whether local architectural and settlement history or excursions into nature will shape your trip more. If you would also like to explore the wider themes of the Wesel destination, the Roman sites in Xanten or the winter birdlife of Bislicher Insel can add to your research.

Discover more destinations

Also discover: Xanten, Sonsbeck, Voshövel, Rheinberg, Hünxe, Neukirchen-Vluyn, Dinslaken, Moers.

Back to the main travel overview: Wesel.