Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler

The different districts of the district town

The district town of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler is made up of 13 small and larger districts that connect the two largest parts of the town, Bad Neuenahr and Ahrweiler . Each town has its own history and still brings a number of traditions to life today.

Bachem

Between Ahrweiler and Bad Neuenahr, on the right-hand side of the Ahr, lies the historic wine village of Bachem, which is particularly famous for the cultivation of Pinot Noir grapes. The Bachemer Bach flows through the centre of the village, with the wine museum on the left-hand side of the stream. The building of today's museum, the so-called "Bachemer Backes", dates back to 1650 and initially served as a community bakery and later as a village school until it became the winegrowers' museum in 1978. Bachem organises its own wine festival to coincide with the museum.

Ehlingen

The easternmost district of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler has been part of the Heimersheim district since 1371. Viticulture played a major role back then, but since the phylloxera epidemic in the late 19th century, it is no longer practised here to the same extent as in previous centuries. The bakehouse in the village was renovated by the village community and is still used for baking on special occasions. For example, during the plum cake festival, which takes place every year on the second and third weekend in September.

Gimmigen

Gimmigen is located directly on the Landskrone between the districts of Heppingen and Kirchdaun. In the centre of the village is a small chapel from the 14th century, which in the past was particularly famous for its high-quality artistic decoration. The chapel is dedicated to Saints Cosmas, Damian and Katharina, in whose honour the village's annual fair is held. The thanksgiving pilgrimage to the Landskrone on 1 May, during which a maypole is traditionally erected, has equally religious origins.

Green

Green has been part of the Lohrsdorf district since 1969, but has been physically separated from it by the B266 since 1981. The history of the village dates back to the middle of the 12th century to the burgomaster Johannes de Grinde, who was granted land in Green. The fact that Green and Lohrsdorf belong together is also due to the fact that the altar was consecrated in the chapels of both villages in the middle of the 17th century. This very chapel was destroyed in the middle of the 18th century by the flooding of the Ahr.

Heimersheim

Heimersheim lies to the east of the district town. First mentioned in the middle of the 12th century, remnants of the former town wall can still be recognised in the townscape today. Similar to Ahrweiler, the town is characterised by half-timbered houses, an old bakehouse and the "Zehnthof". This is where the interest and rents of farmers and winegrowers used to be kept. A basilica from the 13th century is located in the centre of the village. The medieval charm of the village can still be felt today during the annual medieval wine festival.

Heppingen

Heppingen is located at the foot of the Landskrone and borders on Gimmigen, Lohrsdorf and Heimersheim. The first evidence of the settlement of the village dates back to the 10th century, and the image of the village today is characterised by the St. Martinus Church located directly on Landskroner Straße. Built in 1905, the church was destroyed in the Second World War, but was rebuilt and renovated in the middle of the 20th century. The village has a special connection with the small Maria Hilf chapel on the Landskrone, which is maintained by an association of patrons in Heppingen.

Kirchdaun

The district of Kirchdaun is located in the north-east of the district town. Due to its location at the foothills of the Landskrone, it is surrounded by idyllic landscapes of meadows, fields and forests. Kirchdaun was originally a separate municipality, but was incorporated at the end of the 20th century. At the heart of the village is the church of St Lamberti, which dates back to the 12th century. Anyone travelling along today's Aachen-Frankfurt-Heerstrasse hiking trail will pass right by Kirchdaun. In the past, the pilgrim and military road from Frankfurt via the present-day county to Aachen ran here.

Lohrsdorf

The district of Lohrsdorf borders on Green and also includes the Köhlerhof golf course and Landskron Castle. First mentioned in the 10th century, it is one of the oldest documented villages on the Ahr. In the south of the village is the old town centre with its 11th century chapel. Further to the north is a new development area that leads between woodland and meadows to the golf course.

Marienthal

The wine village of Marienthalt lies to the west of the district town, surrounded by steep vineyards. One of the district's highlights is the ruins of a former Augustinian convent, which is now a winery and restaurant. The Dokumentationsstätte Regierungsbunker (Government Bunker Documentation Centre) is also particularly well-known. Today's museum displays the former government bunker, which was designed in the middle of the 20th century in case of a nuclear attack.

Ramersbach

Ramersbach, the youngest district of the district town, is geographically the highest and offers views over the entire region thanks to its altitude. In addition to the idyllic landscape, Ramersbach is also historically interesting. The remains of one of the largest known Roman iron smelting plants on this side of the Alps can be found here, and the "Eisenweg" hiking trail leads to the most interesting places. Today, Ramersbach is a popular place to live for young families in particular.

Walporzheim

Walporzheim between Ahrweiler and Marienthal is characterised by steep rock formations and the oldest preserved wine terraces in the Ahr Valley. The "Bunte Kuh" natural monument is particularly well-known and attracts many visitors to Walporzheim. Another special feature is the oldest wine house in the Ahr, St Peter's Inn. The property was built around 1100 AD and became the centre of the wine village.