Würselen: Castle, Traditions and Green Routes

Burg Wilhelmstein: History and Cultural Programme

Burg Wilhelmstein is in Bardenberg, high above the Wurm Valley. In the 14th century, Count William V had a castle built there on the ruins of an earlier structure, which had already been built by the Archbishop of Cologne in 1216. The site lay on the former border between the Duchy of Jülich and the Aachen Reich. The place thus combines a tangible history with its present-day role as an open-air venue.

Every year during the summer months, the open-air venue offers a cultural programme. It includes concerts, musicals, comedy, cabaret and open-air cinema in a historic castle setting surrounded by greenery. The castle also has a miniature golf course. If you want to plan your stay around a cultural programme, it is worth choosing your travel dates accordingly; Würselen’s green spaces offer their own opportunities on other days of your holiday.

Jungenspiele Celebrations and Landmarks

The tradition of the Jungenspiele celebrations has been maintained in Würselen since at least 1620. They reach their peak each year with the big fair, held three weeks after Pentecost. The Jungenspiele groups then parade through the streets; before that, acrobatic flag-waving takes place in front of St. Sebastian’s parish church. Their programme and close connection to Pentecost make the Jungenspiele a special occasion for anyone who wants to discover local traditions.

St. Sebastian’s parish church was founded before AD 870. It is considered Würselen’s best-known landmark and is affectionately called the “cathedral” by local residents. The Jungenspiel Fountain near the town hall also celebrates the tradition: erected in 1991, the fountain features Jungenspiele motifs and was created by Aachen artist Bonifatius Stirnberg. It is a popular attraction and meeting place for people of all ages.

Green Routes and Cycling Trips

The town gardens, city forest and Wurm Valley provide green spaces for relaxation in Würselen. They are suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding. The city forest has four signposted routes ranging from 1.5 to 5 kilometres in length. The trails start at car parks and can be used for walking, jogging or enjoying nature. The different route lengths offer a practical guide when planning a shorter or longer outing.

The Wurm Valley and Broichbach Valley extend across the municipal areas of Würselen, Herzogenrath and Alsdorf. A well-signposted, accessible junction-based route system is available for walks and outings; each trail junction is numbered. Würselen is also part of the regional cycling network. Connections across the Aachen City Region make it possible to extend bike rides beyond the town limits. If you enjoy longer cycling trips, you can take this regional network into account when choosing your holiday base.

More to Discover and Different Ways to Spend Your Holiday

AQUANA adds an indoor and outdoor sauna complex to the range of options. The outdoor facilities include a sauna garden with a pond and sun terraces; younger visitors can enjoy a pirate ship. This means that in Würselen, you can choose from nature and culture as well as activities for more relaxed hours.

The listed Altes Rathaus cultural centre at Kaiserstraße 36 is a cultural meeting place. The public municipal library is on the ground floor. The upper floor has five multifunctional rooms, an exhibition area and an event hall with 200 seats. Anyone interested in Würselen’s cultural life will find another distinctive venue here. The restaurant at Burg Wilhelmstein serves seasonal cuisine featuring regional specialities: the menu includes salads, meat and fish dishes, as well as vegetarian creations.

Würselen’s membership in the cross-border Grünmetropole tourism network adds to the mix of nature, culture and leisure experiences offered by the participating towns and municipalities.

More places in this overview: Eschweiler, Hahn, Rurberg, Aachen, Alsdorf, Lammersdorf, Baesweiler, Erkensruhr.

Back to the main travel overview: Aachen.