Discover Karlshausen
Accommodation in Karlshausen
Karlshausen combines the landscape of the South Eifel Nature Park with striking examples of ecclesiastical architecture. Gentle hills and dense forests characterise the surroundings; in the village, the parish church and wayside chapel tell of different architectural styles and historical traces. When choosing where to stay, you can decide whether to focus primarily on the nature of the South Eifel, architecture or local traditions.
Church architecture and historical details
St Bartholomew’s Parish Church is a four-bay hall church dating from 1861. Its exterior has a solid, classical appearance, while also featuring neo-Gothic elements, including mostly pointed-arch openings, buttresses and reinforced corners. The contrast between the compact overall effect and the prominent structural features makes the church noteworthy for architecture enthusiasts.
There are also distinctive details inside. The chancel has a light-looking quadripartite or ribbed vault, and much of the neo-Gothic furnishings have been preserved. The gallery houses an 18th-century organ that did not originate in Karlshausen. The tombstone of Pastor Johann Baptist Scheler, who died in 1818, is on the south wall. The slate cross bears a bas-relief of a chalice and host on its shaft—a hallmark of a priest’s tomb.
A church in Karlshausen is documented in records as early as 1348 and 1389. These early references should be distinguished from the present parish church, which was built in 1861. They place Karlshausen’s ecclesiastical history as far back as the 14th century.
The wayside chapel and reused architectural elements
A rectangular wayside chapel stands on the eastern edge of the village. It was built in 1861 after the demolition of the late Gothic parish church. Its purpose was to preserve in the structure the dressed stones from the former chancel vault and a tracery window. The chapel thus combines a building of its own from 1861 with elements from an older church.
Inside is a star vault based on a Bohemian cap vault. It was reconstructed from old dressed stones; the points where the ribs meet feature heraldic cartouches, and a large keystone depicts the German Emperor. Reused architectural elements bear the date 1547. This date should be distinguished from the chapel’s construction in 1861. For visitors who enjoy looking out for shapes and details, the small chapel offers a different architectural impression from the parish church’s hall.
Nature, hiking trails and village life
Karlshausen lies in the South Eifel Nature Park and is surrounded by gentle hills and dense forests. The surrounding area has numerous hiking trails through the varied South Eifel landscape. If you like to include hikes in your vacation plans, this natural setting is a practical consideration when looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Karlshausen. No details are provided about individual routes or their courses; the trails are described as an activity available in the destination’s surrounding area.
The annual summer procession organised by the carnival association, which is well known in the region, offers another glimpse of village life. If you are interested in local traditions, you can consider this recurring procession as a reason to visit. Karlshausen also has a barbecue hut.
Which of these aspects matters most to you may help you decide whether to explore Karlshausen as a holiday destination.
Discover more places
You can also explore Nasingen, Kruchten, Hüttingen Bei Lahr, Emmelbaum, Gemünd, Körperich, Nusbaum and Ammeldingen An Der Our.
For the broader travel overview: Neuerburg.
