Discover Mayen: Castle, City History and Grubenfeld
Accommodation in Mayen
Mayen combines a distinctive history with experiences ranging from the castle to Grubenfeld. Genovevaburg Castle stands on a rocky outcrop above the market square; the Bat Trail and the SteinZeiten exhibition offer a different perspective on the city. The city also has preserved sections of its city wall, guided tours and trails in the municipal forest. When looking for a holiday apartment in Mayen, you can first consider whether you want your stay to focus on the castle and culture or on walks and nature.
File:Mayen, Marktplatz mit Genovefaburg.jpg
Photo: Unbekannt, Verlag Stengel & Co. Dresden Berlin via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Genovevaburg Castle and summer culture
The late Gothic Genovevaburg Castle is a landmark of Mayen. Its upper castle includes the 34-metre-high Goloturm tower; the lower castle lies a little further down. The castle was built in 1280 by Heinrich von Finstingen, Archbishop of Trier. Its rooms house the EifelTotal and Deutsches Schieferbergwerk exhibitions of the Eifel Museum. Architecture, history and museum exhibits come together here in one place.
Every summer, the Mayen Castle Festival turns Genovevaburg Castle, in the heart of the city, into a stage for theatre, music and social gatherings. Another summer venue is the courtyard of the Old Arrest House: as part of the Castle Festival, theatre, music and other cultural events are held there in the open air. If you visit Mayen in the summer months, you can take these seasonal cultural offerings into account when planning your stay.
City Wall and Old Arrest House
Mayen’s history is also evident in specific buildings beyond the castle. Large sections of the city wall have been preserved; a restored battlement walk can be followed all the way to Genovevaburg Castle. The Old Arrest House was formerly the city jail. It was built in 1880, extended in 1904 and is now a home for art and culture. The preserved fortifications and the former jail reveal different sides of the city’s history.
Bats, basalt and trails
Mayen’s Grubenfeld is considered one of the most important bat roosting sites in Central Europe. The short Bat Trail is a circular route through Grubenfeld that provides information about the world of bats. A special point of interest is Shaft 700, the bats’ home. On a guided tour of the SteinZeiten exhibition, visitors can follow individual stages of basalt mining at interactive stations. Grubenfeld thus offers two distinct themes: observing bats and learning about the history of basalt mining.
Eifeltraum, a short walking loop with viewpoints and a natural Kneipp pool, is located in Mayen’s municipal forest. The day hike along the Förstersteig Dream Trail, which starts in Mayen-Kürrenberg, is a different undertaking. Comparing the short walking loop with the day hike can help with planning your time: you can decide whether a brief stroll or a full day of hiking better suits your plans.
City Tours and Planning Your Time
Guided walks in Mayen are available on request. The historical city tour passes through the city centre and lasts around 90 minutes. With the Hearonymus app, you can start a digital city tour whenever you like and play audio information at the sights. This gives you a choice between a guided exploration and setting off at a time of your own choosing.
You can also explore the city through its food: a culinary city tour lasts about 4.5 hours and takes participants to a total of five pubs and restaurants. Compared with the roughly 90-minute historical tour, it is a considerably longer option. When planning, it makes a difference whether you choose a short city walk, an extended culinary tour or a day hike along the Förstersteig.
These experiences can help guide your search for a holiday apartment in Mayen: the castle, city wall and Old Arrest House offer a focus on cultural history, while Grubenfeld, the municipal forest and the route starting in Kürrenberg offer different themes and time commitments.
Discover more destinations: Bendorf, Mendig, Kalt, Welling, Nörtershausen, Oberfell, Niederfell, Kottenheim.
Go to the broader travel overview: Mayen-Koblenz.
