Top 20 Natural Monuments in the Westerwald

The Ludendorff Bridge, known as the Remagen Bridge, was a two-track railway bridge over the Rhine between Remagen and Erpel. It was commissioned for military reasons in 1916 during the First World War and named in honor of the Army Quartermaster General, Erich Ludendorff, on May 1, 1918, for the inauguration of Kaiser Wilhelm II. On March 7, 1945, at the end of the Second World War, a small vanguard of US soldiers reached the undamaged bridge and captured it. Wehrmacht soldiers tried in vain to destroy the bridge in the days following its capture, because according to the Wehrmacht leadership's plans, all Rhine bridges were to be blown up. However, less explosives (300 kg instead of 600 kg) and less efficient explosives (Donarit instead of Ekrasit) were used than planned. During the demolition, the bridge was briefly lifted from its supports. It finally collapsed on March 17, 1945, likely as a result of the demolition. The Peace Museum in the bridge towers, located since 1980, impressively displays images and documents from that time, everyday items and equipment of the soldiers fighting on the bridge, and much more. Visitors are immersed in the historical events of the Battle of Remagen at the original site and will understand the significance of capturing this bridge and the courage and determination required to face the associated real dangers, even one's own death. The bridge towers on the Remagen side are used as a Peace Museum. On the Erpel side, cultural events take place in the tunnel.

A little below the Plateau you will pass this vantage point of Drachenburg Castle on the way. The view of the (almost kitschy) castle with the Rhine and the Bonn skyline in the background is great. Photos from the small platform almost automatically have postcard quality.

Climbing on the Stenzelberg has been expressly forbidden since June 2005. Previously, the Rhein-Sieg district had tolerated climbing, although the Stenzelberg, like the entire Siebengebirge, had been designated as a nature reserve (NSG) since 1920. The climbing ban became necessary due to the new nature reserve ordinance in the course of the recognition of the Siebengebirge as FFH area 5309-301 (Fauna-Flora-Habitat) of the European Union. In particular, the occurrence of the wall lizard was concerned and egg-laying sites at the foothills of the fields were destroyed. Despite the ban, climbing continued illegally after 2005. The path to the rocks was therefore closed by the forestry department.

The Stenzelberg is geologically a spring dome from the volcanic rock Latit. The rising magma did not reach the earth's surface here, but got stuck in the surrounding tuff cover rock. The softer tuff was later eroded away, exposing the harder latite. The Stenzelberg has been used as a quarry since the 11th century, in which quartz latite rock was mined. The Heisterbach Abbey also operated a quarry on the Stenzelberg. The quarried material was also used to build the monastery buildings and the abbey church. Furthermore, rock from the Stenzelberg was used for the Propsteikirche in Oberpleis, the Nikolauskapelle in Heisterbacherrott and the Bonn Minster, and later also for the churches in Niederdollendorf, in Oberdollendorf and in Asbach. The operation of the quarry ended in 1931. Source: https://www.kuladig.de/Objectansicht/O-FJK-20100630-0032

An impressive gorge and easy to walk. Pleasant fresh air, which also invites you to run in summer. The basalt breakthrough clearly shows the power of the water.

A place in the Westerwald with exceptional nature.

The Stenzlberg offers rugged rocks, exciting views, history and beautiful narrow paths.

Worth seeing gorge with many photo opportunities.