Neu-Moresnet: Chapels, Churches and Hiking Trails

Neu-Moresnet is a place for travellers who enjoy combining cultural history and landscapes. The Rochus Chapel, built of rubble stone, stands in isolation and was first mentioned as early as 1646. The Chapel of St. Rochus still houses a bell from 1651 bearing the inscription “1651 + S.MARIA ORA PRO NOBIS”. Details like these give your stay a tangible historical connection and make Neu-Moresnet a destination to be discovered step by step.

Churches, cemetery and the history of Neu-Moresnet

The origins of the town are also part of what makes it special: Neu-Moresnet was the part of the former Moresnet that emerged from Prussian Moresnet and was later renamed Neu-Moresnet. Another important landmark is the Protestant Church of St. John. It was ready for use in 1857, built with solid brickwork and a zinc roof. Its simple neo-Gothic architecture and furnishings form a harmonious whole.

Behind the church is a cemetery that was consecrated in June 1858. It contains the graves of the area’s first Protestants as well as some of the benefactors who funded buildings in Neu-Moresnet. Old, tall trees add further character to this place. Anyone interested in regional history, sacred architecture and the traces of earlier generations will find several different points of interest here for a peaceful walk. The cemetery is interesting not only because of its date, but also because of the connection between local history, the church and burial culture.

Hiking along the Göhl and through the Hohnbach Valley

Various described routes are available for active days. The municipality of Kelmis recommends the Neutral-Moresnet Border Route as one of its hiking and cycling routes. Another three-and-a-half-hour hike described by the municipality along the Göhl passes, among other places, the Rochus Chapel. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between a three-and-a-half-hour hike with a historical destination and the Neutral-Moresnet Border Route, which is recommended as a hiking and cycling route.

The Hohnbach Valley provides a natural highlight. Due to its remarkable vegetation, it is designated as a Natura 2000 site. One hike described by the municipality passes daffodils there. This information can help you choose the right itinerary for the day: if you would like to spend time outdoors, you can plan a route through the Hohnbach Valley; if local history is to be the focus, the Rochus Chapel, St. John’s Church and the cemetery offer different sightseeing themes.

Museum and trip planning

The Göhltal Museum, also known as the Musée de la Vallée de la Gueule, opened in 1984 in a former villa on Maxstraße in Neu-Moresnet. On the official RAVeL Route Line 39B, the Musée de la Vallée de la Gueule at Maxstraße 9–11, 4721 Neu-Moresnet, is listed as an attraction. Another important station in its history is the Vieille-Montagne building on Route de Liège: the municipality of Kelmis bought it in 2014 to house the museum there.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Neu-Moresnet, it is worth deciding on your preferred focus before booking. If your stay is to centre primarily on churches, chapels and museum history, your ideas for the day will differ from those of a plan centred around the Göhl, the Hohnbach Valley and the described hiking and cycling routes. Families who want to combine different interests can spread cultural and landscape themes over several days without reducing the town to just one attraction.

If you would also like to compare another destination for your trip planning, Hergenrath offers additional guidance. This allows you to connect your choice of accommodation with the experiences that matter most for your trip: historical discoveries, paths through the landscape or a mixture of both.

For the overarching travel overview: Kelmis.