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One of my favorite places to visit in Germany is the beautiful town of
Monschau. Located in the mountainous Eifel area of North Rhineland-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen),
Monschau lies spectacularly in a valley 30 km south of Aachen.
Cafe
in Monschau (c) Michael T. Schumacher
Why
is Monschau so special? The town has extraordinarily well-preserved houses that
are centuries old, tucked into a peaceful, hilly landscape. The houses are
half-timbered topped with high slate roofs, some of them richly colored and
ornate.
As you wander the historic
town center, high above you on dolomite cliffs are the ruins of two fortresses,
the Burg and the Haller. They are available all the time - visit them for outstanding panoramic views of
Monschau and the surrounding landscape. You'll see the exposed volcanic
rocks. The
Burg is the castle which gave Monschau its start. Built in the Middle Ages with a
Romanesque style, later additions provided a mixture of
architectural styles. Monschau grew prosperous in the 17th century from the cloth
industry, when the beautiful mansions that line the streets of the old town were
built. The
Christmas Market
One of
the best things to do is to visit Monschau during the Christmas season. I
visited the Weihnachtsmarkt several years ago on a cold, snowy day. While the
sky and hills rising over the town were gray, the mood in the town was cheery.
Wooden huts selling Christmas gifts and treats lined the street entering the
market square, their little lights melting the darkness. The traditional
Glühwein (hot spiced wine) chased away my chills. The event is very festive and
sure to put you in a warm Christmas mood. If you can sing any German Christmas
carols, your experience is complete!
Christmas
Market on Monschau square
(c) Michael T. Schumacher
If
you plan on visiting Monschau with your children during Christmas, be sure to
come on the weekend when Santa Claus is present. You can also see and hear
musicians dressed in folk costumes play traditional music.
Regional
Specialty and Staying
Overnight
While you're in Monschau, be sure to sample the Reiskuchen, a cake made out of
rice that is something like a firm rice pudding. It is made only in this part of
the Eifel region. Stop in any cafe or Konditorei for a slice or a whole cake.
Monschau's
attractiveness has generated a tourist industry that can meet every traveler's
needs. Accommodations range from hotel to private room to youth hostel. There
are several hotels in the old town, such as the charming Burghotel
Monschau on Laufenstrasse 1, which has a well-known restaurant. For
specific information about places to stay in Monschau, contact the tourist
information office.
Things to See and Do in Monschau
Monschau offers a number of attractions that make it a fun yet relaxed travel
destination.
While the Christmas market is seasonal, there are plenty of attractions that are
open year round. Here are just a few:
- The Red House (Rotes Haus)
contrasts brilliantly with many of the town's dark colored houses. Built in
the 1700s by a wealthy cloth maker, the house includes a Rococo staircase
richly decorated with motifs from the cloth making trade. You can also see
furniture from this period as well as family portraits.
 The
Red House in Monschau (c) Michael T. Schumacher
- The Monschauer Brewery
Museum is a great place to tour and enjoy original Zwickelbier. The museum
provides information about the 150-year history of the brewery, including
old brewing tools.
- At the Glass Works
located at Burgau 15 you can see a demonstration of glass-making techniques,
including mouth blowing and glass polishing. The Eifel area has a 2,000-year
history of glass making.
When you visit the Eifel
region, take note that it is generally cooler than most of the rest of Germany.
The winter season comes earlier than in most other regions and lasts longer.
Don't let the weather deter you though - this area is definitely worth a visit.
Monschau
Square (c) Michael T. Schumacher
Online Resources for
Monschau
Monschau Tourist Office
(mostly German)
Monschau Web Cam
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