"Beautiful Monschau in the Eifel-hills" Top 5 Page for this destination Monschau by Pavlik_NL

Monschau Travel Guide: 70 reviews and 231 photos

Enchanting little village in a valley - Monschau

One of the gemstones in German crown

To say that Monschau is nice would be a terrible understatement. Monschau is truely beautiful and has a charm that knows to enchant the visitor in an almost suiting way. Walking through the old streets and gazing at the "Fachwerk" houses (the woodworks criss-cross through the plastered walls), it makes you feel like being placed in a late medieval century. Monschau is the best there is in the Eifel-hills and should - on a tour through this environment - not be forgotten.

Historical overview of Monschau

Clamped in between the hills besides the "Rur"

Already in 1198 the name Monschau is recorded in written language. Around this time the castle, including the lookout-tower across the valley, should have been built and attracted more and more villagers to Monschau until it got recognised as a town. It’s not clear if the castle was built first as a house for a nobel person (Walram of Limburg)or if it started out as a monastry. The town also has belonged to the Spanish-Habsburgian empire under Charles the Fifth who conquered this area in 1543 and kept it 1609. Like many other towns in this area it saw also many other conquerors, like the French in 1795. Monschau became famous for it’s textile-industry in the 16th century. In the wide surroundings the demand was high for Monschauer linnen. Most buildings here have belonged to rich textile-traders or producers. The “Red House” is the most exquisite example of the wealth that this manufacturing brought and in here you can also find a museum about this timeframe in Monschau.

Beautiful Monschau in a modern world

Two main monuments, Red house and main church

The district of the little town Monschau holds now-a-days several other villages inside it’s municipality. Höfen, Imgenbroich, Kalterherberg, Konzen, Mützenich and Rohren are since 1972 part of it’s jurisdiction. Monschau itself lays on the little river Rur (not to be confused with the Ruhr in the Ruhr-area) at a hight of 350 meters until 650 meters over sea level. The main drive of present Monschau is tourism and it doesn’t wonder anyone that such little town that has 396 officially declared monumental buildings of which 270 are direct in it’s centre. Monschau is an open air museum and a pleasure to walk through. Around every corner there is yet another idyllic place.

Intro Written Aug 15, 2003
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Reviews (14)

Monschauer Weihnachts/Christmas-market - Monschau

Every year from the first advent-weekend Local Customs (1)

Traditional German Weihnachts / Christmas market. A festival that here is extra traditional as chances of snow are here... more travel advice

The ruine of the old watchtower - Monschau

Mass-tourism in high season and around... Warnings and Dangers (1)

If one doesn;t like mass-tourism, one should go to Monschau outside the highseason in summeryime, running from June to... more travel advice

Also included in Monschau ... forestwalks ... - Monschau

Don't forget the wonderful surroundings. Off The Beaten Path (1)

Monschau is beautiful, but in combination with the great green nature surrounding it, it is even better. Take the... more travel advice

The stop at the other side of town market + church - Monschau

By foot preferably or by touristtrain Transportation (2)

Monschau is small and when one parked the car on one of the entrance parkingplaces, a walkingtour can get you anywhere... more travel advice

Things to Do (5)
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Favorites (2)
See All "Fachwerk" that's what it is all about

Travelogues (1)

Written Aug 16, 2003

8 photos

A closer look at Monschau's houses

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Comments (3)

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pepples46 Dec 5, 2004 at 4:42 PM

excellent page Paul, your right, Monschau is a little Gem. thanx for putting it on VT map
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huib-jose Sep 13, 2003 at 1:49 AM

Yes, we know Monschau and love to visit it. You made amazing pictures and tell a nice story. Good job, Paul
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matcrazy1 Aug 17, 2003 at 7:23 AM

What can I say? Beautiful page and destination! What a location! I love houses made with "Fachwerk". Thanks for great advice on when to go there to avoid crowds!