Rhens – History and Sights
The Rhine Valley was already settled before Roman times, by the Celts. The name “Rhens” is—although disputed among researchers—probably of Celtic origin; “Rhens” could therefore mean “at the river Rhine.” Around 1400, Rhens was granted city rights by the Elector of Cologne, who was simultaneously Elector and Archbishop. Many buildings from this time (e.g., the unique “Königsstuhl” above the small town) and the so-called “Kurverein of Rhens” from 1338, which regulated the election of the German king, testify to the town's prominent role in the late Middle Ages when it had imperial historical significance for a time. In 1815, Rhens came into Prussian possession and was part of the first German nation-state founded in 1871, called the “German Empire.” Since 2002, Rhens has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage “Upper Middle Rhine Valley.”
Content: © F. J. Schmillen
The city walking route takes you 1.6 km through the historic city center and along the city wall.
B 9 to Rhens - direction town center
56321 Rhens marketplace or corner Bramleystraße/Auf der Lay
Accessible by train and bus
Travel sustainably using public transport.
Destination stop: Rhens, railway station
RB 32 “Mittelrheinbahn” (daily) Koblenz - Mainz
Line 670 RegioBus: Koblenz-Rhens-Spay-Boppard
56321 Rhens, Bramleyerstraße (town center) or at the parish church/kindergarten and at the railway station in Rhens
1: The Old Town Hall at the marketplace has served continuously as the city administration seat since its construction around 1500. Three gables emphasize the representative character of this official building in the town center. The half-timbered construction shows the Rhenish-Frankish half-timbered style in “oxblood red.” The upper part of the main gable as a “show gable” contains the coat of arms of the Cologne ruler (black cross on white background); the keys indicate town rights.
2: The so-called Ox Fountain is a modern reproduction of a cattle watering place that stood for centuries in front of the town hall: farmers used to drive their cattle here every evening from the pastures outside the town on the way back to the stalls for milking. The depicted ox refers to the “Rhenser Ochsen”: this is how the Rhens residents humorously refer to themselves. You can “annoy” the ox in three places! The ox fountain stands in front of a picturesque ensemble of three adjoining half-timbered houses from the 17th century: consider their “show gables” facing the market, their geometric form decoration under the double windows, a Latin inscription (motto: Only he who has a true friend can consider himself lucky), coopers/barrel makers at work, as well as a grotesque wood carving (combination of bull skull, man, and fish): viticulture, fishing, and agriculture were therefore the main sources of income in Rhens in earlier centuries.
3: Cattle Gate: Between the ox fountain and town hall, the street leads to the Cattle Gate and the well-preserved late medieval town fortifications here with walls up to 10 m high, 6 towers, and 5 town gates.
4: Church Gate: The city wall has a circumference of only 900 meters: Rhens was thus a small town and has remained so until today (approx. 3,000 inhabitants). The town gates were double gates; the towers built on top in earlier times (up to 10 meters high!) have mostly not been preserved—except for one.
5: The Dionysius Church lies outside the town wall on a hill. It was the parish church until 1908. The nave and choir in the forms of the latest Gothic date from the 15th century; the oldest preserved part is the Romanesque west tower with diamond roof from around 1200. The church is also worth seeing inside: it was decorated in Baroque style during the Counter-Reformation in the 17th century. The Baroque decoration of the church, the little Marian shrine on the way up, and the adjoining Stations of the Cross thus bear architectural and topographic testimony to the Counter-Reformation.
6: House “Zum roten Löwen” (Langstraße 2): One of the oldest half-timbered houses, built at the beginning of the 16th century. Strong diagonal braces form the typical figure of the “Wild Man.” The windows have been preserved in their original size.
7: Jewish prayer house (Langstraße 9): Jews lived in Rhens from the end of the 15th century. This house is documented as a Jewish prayer house from 1832. It was desecrated and partly demolished during the Reich Pogrom Night on November 9, 1938.
8: Tannery house (Langstraße 41): Of the former tannery district, only this excellently restored half-timbered house from 1629 (date above the lintel) has survived. Note the representative gable facade of this half-timbered building in Renaissance style—almost in the middle of the railway tracks!
9: Sharp Tower: This approx. 25 m high watch and customs tower with its massive 3-4 m thick walls forms the southeastern corner of the city fortifications on the Rhine; in the 16th and 17th centuries, its dungeon served as a prison for people accused of witchcraft, who were also tortured here—that is, subjected to a “sharp interrogation.”
10: Downriver, along the former towing path, follows the building complex of the former Salhof (= manor house); it consists of the “Hotel Königsstuhl” (since the 18th century), the former Electorate of Cologne office building behind it situated directly by the railway embankment (1557), and the long half-timbered building lying on the city wall, the so-called Wackelburg (= brave castle) from 1573.
11: German House: situated between Wackelburg and Rheintor, it is a three-story half-timbered building from 1566; particularly decorative are its two high trefoil-shaped dormers.
12: Rheintor: The end of this medieval building complex is marked by the also three-story Rheintor (formerly called “Upper Rhine Gate”); it is the only preserved gate tower complex and also served as a customs house for collecting market tolls. The flood marks tell the story of the worries and troubles of the people who lived directly on the Rhine.
13: The Josefstor (formerly called “Lowest Rhine Gate”) received the statue of Joseph in the 18th century. Flood levels are also marked here.
14: Old municipal school (Hochstraße 24): Half-timbered house from 1702. The inscription refers to the religious conflicts in the 16th and 17th centuries in Rhens: “If this house lasts as long as all human hatred crumbles, then it will last until the end of the world.”
15: “In dem Marienbiltgen” (Hochstraße 20): Magnificent Baroque half-timbered house from 1734. The house owes its name to the figure of Mary in the niche in the bay window of the first floor. Previously, the church house of the Reformed Protestants stood here, which—after the congregation was dissolved—burned down under unclear circumstances in 1698. The house documents the significance of Mary as a symbol of the Counter-Reformation.
Content: © F. J. Schmillen
For your own safety and to protect the flora and fauna, please always stay on the marked paths. The hiking trail has some steep, difficult, and slippery sections during rain or winter weather. Therefore, surefootedness and good physical condition are essential prerequisites.
NOTE:
We strive to announce all closures caused by forestry work or hunting parties on this platform. However, there are situations where hiking trails are closed and we may not have been informed. If you unexpectedly encounter a trail closure or detour, please follow the instructions for your own safety.
Hazard situations:
In case of an emergency, quick help is needed. Although mobile phones can send GPS signals, the classic rescue points are often the fastest way. These are located in places accessible to rescue vehicles. Remember the points with green signs and a white cross. In an emergency, return there and give the number on the sign when making your emergency call. This way, rescuers will know where to find you.
- Sturdy and comfortable footwear.
- Clothing adapted to the weather, if necessary, in layers.
- Backpack with provisions: Sufficient drinking water and possibly food, as there are not always dining or shopping options available or open.
- Depending on the weather, sun or rain protection, as well as mosquito/tick protection.
Tourist Information Erlebnis Rheinbogen, Am Viehtor 2, 56321 Rhens | Tel.: +49 (0) 2607 / 49510 | touristik@erlebnis-rheinbogen.de | www.erlebnis-rheinbogen.de
More route suggestions: hiking routes in the Middle Rhine and Lower Moselle regions
Link to Lower Moselle: https://www.sonnige-untermosel.de/list/aktiv/wandern
Link to Middle Rhine: https://www.erlebnis-rheinbogen.de/nature-leisure/our-hiking-trails
