We came to Monschau because of this Christmas market, which is only open on weekends. Also, bad weather is forecast. But when we arrive on a Thursday, we are welcomed by pleasant sunshine. An opportunity for a walking tour to get to know the place.
Monschau lies in a narrow valley that the river Rur has cut into the Eifel mountains. Monschau belongs to the 10% of the most precipitation-rich places in Germany.
Also, the sun has a hard time warming up the valley bottom in this narrow valley for a longer time. Up to now, this may have been a disadvantage. But in the age of climate catastrophe, it turns into an advantage.
Monschau was first mentioned in 1198. Beginning of the 13th century, one set up the castle of Monschau, which was extended to a fortress by the duke of Jülich at the beginning of the 14th century. In 1543, the fortress was conquered and plundered by Emperor Charles V.
During the 30-year war, many Protestant refugees came to Monschau, among them many cloth makers. In the 18th century, the son of a priest, Johann Heinrich Scheibler, led the cloth-making industry to its highest flowering.
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More InformationOn our way to the center, we make a small detour on the slope below the Haller (fortification), of which it is not clear whether it was part of the Monschau castle or an independent castle. From here, we have a beautiful panoramic view over Monschau.
Already in 1971, the famous artist Christo came to Monschau and wrapped the Haller and the castle.
Back in the center, we find several cafes and restaurants around the market square.
At the corner is a nested group of buildings consisting of three half-timbered houses from the 16th/17th century. Until 1831 it was a well-known inn (Trierischer Hof) and, subsequently, a residential and commercial building.
Since 1958, it houses Café Kaulard. Here we take a break and enjoy a selection of sweet Monschau specialties.
The bronze Weavers’ Fountain, also known as the Clothmakers’ Fountain, recalls the tradition of the cloth trade since the 17th century, which brought great wealth to Monschau at that time.
The fountain, created by the Aachen sculptor Bonifatius Stirnberg, depicts the most relevant people in the craft, the weaver, the dyer, and the shearer.
We continue along the Rurstraße until a bridge crosses the Rur. From here, we have the best view of the Red House, the landmark of Monschau. Once, it was the residential and commercial building of the Scheibler clothier family.
One imported merino wool, which was of higher quality than the local wool, and could thus export the finished products worldwide. At times 4000 to 6000 skilled workers, spinners, and home weavers were employed by them.
The Haus des Kunst und Kulturverein Haus Troistorff e.V. is directly behind the Red House on the Holzmarkt square. It is a venue for weddings as well as for events and seminars.
In Monschau, you also find a coffee roasting plant, a brewery museum, the mustard mill, a printing press and, an adventure museum.
But the most fascinating in this town is its medieval charm and the incomparable half-timbered houses and that line the Rur.
We also followed up a little secret. At first, nobody could answer the question of why the clock in the church tower of the Protestant church of the ( in the video 5:28 ) has only one hand.
The clock dates from a time when minutes and seconds did not play a part. However, since many people asked about it in the past, the dials were supplemented by a second hand each.
The consequence of this was that the hand positions showed the time only indistinctly. So the church tower clock was rebuilt to its original state, and the second hands were removed and stored.
Please read on > Overnight stay in Villadelux Elbershof
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- Winter Sunlight by Jeris (c) copyright 2011
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/VJ_Memes/30530 Ft: Leza2unes - Dance of Light Pixies by onlymeith (c) copyright 2009
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/onlymeith/23950