Your city experience in Konz
Modern and historic
Konz is a modern town with ancient roots, situated right on the confluence of the Saar and Moselle rivers. There’s plenty to see and do here!
Another great thing is that there are excellent rail connections from Konz. This means you can travel here without a car, comfortably enjoy special wine and architectural experiences along the Moselle and Saar, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage city of Trier with minimal effort. What’s more, if you choose the right host, you’ll receive a guest ticket entitling you to free travel on regional buses and trains.
The highlights at a glance
Off we go on a city tour
Traces of Roman antiquity
In Roman times, Konz was known as “Contionacum” – not all that different from today. An ancient trunk road linking Trier with Metz ran through the settlement. A Roman bridge spanned the Saar.
Above the mouth of the Saar stood a late-antique imperial summer residence. It is documented that, during the summer months of the year 371 AD, several edicts issued by Emperor Valentinian I were drawn up and signed in Konz. The Roman poet, scholar and tutor to princes, Ausonius, also mentioned ‘imperial walls’ above the mouth of the Saar.
The remains of the imperial palace can still be found today near and within the parish church of St Nicholas, above Konz-Mitte railway station. You can visualise its original appearance using augmented reality. Simply download the free ARGO app to do so.
Contemporary religious architecture and art
The modern Church of St Nicholas now stands on the site of the former imperial palace. It was built to plans by the Swiss architect Hermann Baur. His work was influenced by the ‘Neues Bauen’ and ‘Neue Sachlichkeit’ movements, and he played a decisive role in shaping 20th-century Swiss architecture. In his religious buildings, Baur moved away from the usual rectangular floor plan and developed the concept of a dynamic church interior. In the design of St Nicholas, he realised his vision of a church as ‘God’s tent amongst mankind’, thereby creating a striking spatial effect. Baur’s modern architecture enters into a fascinating dialogue with the works of the artist Georg Meistermann, whose abstract-geometric colour compositions are imbued with metaphysical symbolism.
During the Nazi era, Meistermann’s works were classified as ‘degenerate art’. After 1945, he finally received the recognition he deserved. His sacred murals and glass art, in particular, caused quite a stir. You can also see works by Georg Meistermann in Wittlich.
Fancy a bite to eat? From St Nicholas’ Church, you can look down upon the beautiful historicist railway station in Konz, which houses a restaurant and café.
Former Karthaus Monastery
The surviving buildings of Karthaus Abbey bear witness to what was once a very large, stately complex, the construction of which began in 1680. Carthusian monks lived here in strict seclusion, in accordance with the rules of their order. Their seclusion did not, however, prevent them from amassing and managing extensive estates.
The monastery’s demise came with the arrival of French troops under Napoleon. The complex was confiscated and sold to a businessman from Trier, who used it as a quarry.
The former monastery church now serves as the parish church for the Karthaus district, whilst the former monastery serves as a cultural centre. The best way to explore the site is with the free audio tour.
Roscheider Hof Open-Air Museum
From imperial palace and stately monastery to the living environment of ordinary people: the Roscheider Hof Open-Air Museum is dedicated to the everyday lives of people in the Moselle-Saar region and the neighbouring low mountain ranges from around 1850 to 1970.
At the heart of the vast museum grounds lies a large four-sided farmyard featuring permanent and special exhibitions. Among other things, you’ll find a school class from 1912, a cosy village pub, a general store, as well as exhibitions on viticulture along the Moselle and Saar, the journey from grain to bread, and the cultural history of washing. In a large shopping arcade, you’ll see various shops and small craft stalls.
Passing through the Biedermeier-style rose garden with its summer pavilion and herb garden, you reach the open-air grounds, covering over 20 hectares, featuring houses and farmsteads that have been faithfully reconstructed and furnished in keeping with their former uses. Household gardens, orchards, fields and paths have been laid out based on historical models. There is a wide variety of interesting events.
The ‘Moselsteig Seitensprung Konzer Höhenrunde’, a premium circular walking route around 7 km long, starts at the open-air museum. It is not only scenically attractive but also offers beautiful views.
Westwall Museum, Konz – Villa Gartenlaube
This small bunker complex was once part of the Siegfried Line, which Adolf Hitler had commissioned in 1935 as a counterpart to the French Maginot Line. The privately run bunker museum sees itself as a memorial and aims to give its visitors an insight into the horrors of the Second World War, both for soldiers and for civilians.
Our tips for families
The Konz Music Festival
A musical highlight in the region is the Konz Music Festival, under the artistic direction of pianist Joseph Moog. The festival focuses on chamber music concerts featuring international artists, which are performed at Karthaus Abbey and at various venues in the surrounding area.
Wine tasting in Kanzem
The Saar enjoys an excellent reputation amongst wine lovers: the Scharzhofberger, one of the world’s most famous Riesling vineyards, is situated on the Saar. Riesling wines from the Saar are characterised by their finesse and minerality; they are considered to have excellent ageing potential and often still surprise with their freshness even after decades.
Kanzem is a particularly lovely starting point for exploring the region’s wines. From Konz, you can easily reach this small wine-growing village by train – and right there you’ll find two exceptional wineries that combine wine, history and architecture in a unique way.
One of the two – the von Othegraven winery – belongs to Günther Jauch, one of Germany’s best-known journalists and presenters. His grandmother was a von Othegraven by birth. Even as a child, Günther Jauch spent a great deal of time in Kanzem on the Saar. The winery has been in the family’s possession since 1805. In the wine shop, you can discover the estate’s wines and, of course, take your favourites home with you. And who knows – you might even meet the owner himself during your visit.
Right next door, the Cantzheim Winery and Guest House will catch your eye. This elegant Baroque building was originally constructed in 1740 as a monastery’s vineyard. In 2007, Georg Thoma purchased the estate and commissioned the renowned Swiss architect Max Dudler to renovate the historic manor house and construct two new buildings to complement it. Today, the late-Baroque manor house is flanked by a monolithic coach house made of rammed concrete and an orangery of steel and glass.
Anna Reimann, Thoma’s daughter, runs the Cantzheim winery with great success. Not only is it the winner of the 2022 National Wine Architecture Prize, but it was also recognised in 2021 as one of Germany’s most beautiful wine shops. The wines themselves are also highly praised by connoisseurs. In the wine bar, you can enjoy fine crémants and wines, as well as sweet and savoury treats and speciality coffees.
If you’re interested in fine wines and distinctive architecture, you should also take a look at our blog post on wine & architecture.
Trips in the surrounding area
Trier
The city of Trier, with its UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just a stone’s throw away from Konz by train. It was here, in the palace district, that Emperor Valentinian I resided when he was not out securing the borders or leading military campaigns. The Basilica of Constantine and the Imperial Baths were part of this complex, and the cathedral – an imposing early Christian place of worship – was situated very close by.
If you’re particularly interested in modern architecture, do take a look at the buildings designed by Oswald Mathias Unger: He designed the forecourt of the Basilica of Constantine, conceived the gigantic glass cube of the Imperial Baths at the Viehmarkt as a ‘window onto the city’s history’, and planned a monumental new entrance area to the Imperial Baths.
For more information, take a look at our detailed guide to Trier.
The Temple and Vicus of Tawern
If you travel by bus or car from Konz towards Saarburg, you will reach the village of Tawern, whose name still echoes the Latin word ‘tabernae’. This term referred to a settlement along a road, and indeed you can still find the remains of a Roman-era settlement in the village. In the woods near Tawern, you’ll even find a reconstructed temple complex where travellers could pray for the protection of the gods.
On the Metzenberg near Tawern, a large Roman temple complex was discovered in the middle of the forest and impressively reconstructed. There is also augmented reality from ARGO here. You walk through the forest from a car park and find yourself right in the heart of Roman times!
In the village of Tawern itself, you can see the remains of the Roman settlement to which the temple complex once belonged.
Explore other towns and villages in the region
Saarburg
The town of Saarburg is truly unique: a wide stream flows right through the heart of the old town and plunges down into the valley as a large waterfall. But the waterfall isn’t the only reason you should visit Saarburg.
As the name suggests, this historic town lies on the River Saar, which winds its way through a first-class wine-growing region. World-famous Riesling wines are grown on the steep slopes, and the magnificent architecture of the vineyards bears witness to the economic success of the estate owners. The region also has plenty to offer culturally. Some of the sights can even be viewed in their former glory using augmented reality. All you need to do is download the ARGO FreeApp onto your smartphone.
Trier
Trier, the metropolis at the Mosel, is best known for its ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its landmark is the Porta Nigra, a monumental Roman city gate. The pedestrianised area, with its many historic buildings, is a great place to stroll and shop. Trier is also a university city, home to many young and young-at-heart creative minds!
There’s plenty to discover on the culinary front: the modern cuisine is inspired by neighbouring Luxembourg and France. Of course, you’ll also find first-class wines from the world-famous Mosel wine-growing region here.
Bernkastel-Kues
Bernkastel-Kues is the centre of the Middle Mosel, renowned for its outstanding vineyards and its beautiful half-timbered architecture. But that’s by no means all! It’s also well worth taking day trips into the surrounding countryside, discovering the culinary delights of the outstanding local restaurants, enjoying a traditional regional
Traben-Trarbach
You really must visit the wine town of Traben-Trarbach. For one thing, it boasts magnificent Art Nouveau buildings and other stately homes. For another, it is underpinned by vast wine cellars – the so-called ‘Traben-Trarbach Underworld’ – which you can explore on a guided tour. In the 19th century, the town was arguably the world’s largest wine-trading centre alongside Bordeaux, and you can still see evidence of that today.
You’ll love our tip if you’re a fan of distinctive architecture and enjoy drinking excellent wine!
Cochem
Whenever people read or hear the name ‘Mosel’, they often think of Cochem straight away. And so many people can’t really be wrong. But, as we all know, tastes vary: some visitors only feel at home when there’s plenty going on, whilst others are looking for peace and tranquillity. With our recommendation, you’ll find both. What’s more, in this recommendation we’re focusing on the culinary, wine-related and cultural aspects of Cochem. Let us also inspire you to explore the surrounding area, which has plenty of charming attractions to offer.
Koblenz
When people hear the name ‘Koblenz’, their first thoughts are usually of the Deutsches Eck and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress – in other words, monumental and historic landmarks. But the city has so much more to offer! It’s lovely that the old town is directly connected to the newly designed, spacious riverside promenade. And what is still a distant dream for many major German cities, Koblenz has already made a reality: since the 2011 Federal Horticultural Show, the modern cable car across the Rhine has been an integral part of the local public transport network, linking the Deutsches Eck and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress with the hillside districts! The vast fortress plateau has also benefited enormously from this, not to mention the fortress itself, which has since been transformed into a cultural centre.
