Titz: Moated Castles Route, Rural Synagogue and Mill History

The Moated Castles Route and Titz

The Moated Castles Route runs through the northern part of the district of Düren, passing through the municipalities of Titz and Niederzier, the town of Jülich and the municipality of Aldenhoven. For orientation, it is worth thinking of the route as one of several regional themed routes and choosing other destinations according to your interests. Its route through the municipality of Titz provides a distinct point of reference alongside the historic sites within the municipality.

Jewish heritage in Rödingen

The Rödingen Rural Synagogue is the only rural synagogue in the Rhineland that has been largely preserved in its original condition. The LVR Cultural Centre Rural Synagogue Rödingen comprises an ensemble of buildings consisting of the synagogue and the home of the Jewish Ullmann family. Built in 1841, the synagogue and the home together form the only building ensemble of this kind in the western Rhineland that has been largely preserved in its original condition. This historic ensemble offers a chance to explore both the synagogue’s history and its connection to the family home.

Lectures and workshops on Jewish topics are held at the synagogue every month. If you would like to include one of these events in your plans, check the events calendar in advance for specific dates. Jewish heritage in Rödingen also includes the cemetery on the edge of the village, first mentioned in 1745. Fifteen gravestones and a plinth without a gravestone are still preserved there. The gravestones were placed along the cemetery wall in 1964 because their original location was no longer known.

Church and mill in Titz

In the village of Titz, the two lower storeys of the late Gothic parish church of St. Cosmas and Damian remain. These surviving parts offer a different perspective on local history from the ensemble in Rödingen: here, a specific part of the church’s architecture takes centre stage, while there, it is the connection between the synagogue and the family home.

The Düppel Mill is considered a landmark of the municipality. The post mill was once used to grind grain, was badly damaged by a storm in 2014 and was subsequently repaired. Its history therefore encompasses its former use as well as its damage and repair. Together with the parish church and the ensemble in Rödingen, it offers another historical focus, without reducing all the sights to a single theme.

More discoveries in the Düren destination

The wider Düren destination offers further, distinct places to visit in addition to the themes in Titz. In Jülich, Brückenkopf Park offers play and sports facilities, a zoo and numerous cultural events for the whole family. Jülich is also home to the almost completely preserved and restored citadel, with its ducal palace in the style of the Italian High Renaissance. You can explore its ramparts, bastions and casemates on your own or as part of a guided tour; check the current opening arrangements before your trip.

The Indemann offers a different focus: the 36-metre-high sculpture stands on the Goltsteinkuppe, the highest point in the municipality of Inden at just under 150 metres. Viewing platforms offer a glimpse of the landscape of the Inden open-cast mine; you can also walk along the sculpture’s outstretched arm. Comparing these destinations can help with planning: Jülich adds parks, culture and fortifications to the options, while the Indemann focuses on views and the landscape of the open-cast mine.

When choosing a holiday apartment, you can first decide whether to focus on Titz and its historic sites or include destinations in the wider Düren area as well. Rödingen, the village of Titz and the destinations mentioned in Jülich and Inden cater to different interests. Choose your location based on the themes that matter to you during your stay, and plan your visits accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Aldenhoven, Vettweiß, Kreuzau, Nideggen, Inden, Langerwehe, Merzenich, Heimbach

Back to the wider travel overview: Düren.