In Willmenrod, listed architectural monuments meet the forests and basalt landscape surrounding the Watzenhahn. Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Willmenrod can then continue searching for accommodation. The listed architectural monuments include former rectory buildings, several half-timbered village buildings from the 18th century, and a former school dating from around 1930. The Protestant parish church has a late Romanesque west tower and a nave dating from 1894. The Protestant Church on Pfarrberg also has a tower from the 11th century and a nave newly built in 1893/94. The Watzenhahn forest contains walking destinations with viewpoints and quiet spots. Nearby Stromberg is designated as a protected natural monument and consists of a distinctive wooded basalt hill with unusual rock formations; the Wandering Mountain has been identified as the northern foothill of the Watzenhahn.
Nature
The Wäller Tour and GeoRoute Watzenhahner Riesen is a challenging 13.4-kilometre circular hike with 327 metres of ascent and descent. The Wäller Tour Watzenhahner Riesen bears the “Entdeckertour” certificate. The route is characterised by Westerwald basalt and includes numerous rock formations, including the Watzenhahner Riesen GeoTop. Along the way, former basalt and clay extraction sites are being reclaimed by nature and provide habitats for rare animals and plants.
The route begins at Kranstein between Willmenrod and Weltersburg and leads through ancient forests around the Watzenhahn. From the basalt summit of the Weltersburg castle ruins, a GeoBlick offers views across the entire Limburg Basin. The large rectory garden opens up a view over Willmenrod.
Culture
The parish church complex in Willmenrod forms an ensemble comprising the church, cemetery, parish hall, rectory, and ancillary building. The Steinerne Burghaus is the oldest building in Willmenrod and formerly served as the residence of the von Wernbolderode family. An insect hotel and bat boxes have been installed at the church, and a kestrel nest on the bell tower was soon occupied by a kestrel.
Visitors can enter the Protestant Church from Pentecost to the Harvest Thanksgiving Festival on Saturdays and Sundays. Outside this period, the key is available at the rectory.
History
According to the traditional account, Willmenrod was rebuilt after the village fire of 1805 with straight streets and spaces between the houses in accordance with French regulations. Historically, the village lay on an important route that led via Weltersburg, Berzhahn, Gemünden, Seck, and Rennerod towards Haiger and Gladenbach in Upper Hesse. The coat of arms of Willmenrod recalls the former significance of five mills and the Elbbach.
Trails
Willmenrod is one of the municipalities connected to the Wallmerod–Westerburg railway section and its cycling and hiking trail. The 11.8-kilometre section of the Westerwaldschleife between Westerburg and Wallmerod is fully asphalted, has gentle inclines, is well signposted, and has rest areas. The section of the former Westerwaldquerbahn between Wallmerod and Westerburg is now part of the Westerwaldschleife.
The official starting point for the moderate circular route is considered to be the Kranstein car park on the K95 near Weltersburg in the direction of Willmenrod. Willmenrod and Berzhahn can be reached by RB90 from Limburg or Siegen to access the route.
Events
Since 1981, the Martin Luther House has served as the Protestant parish hall for the area around Willmenrod and was previously a barn belonging to the rectory. In September, it is the centre of the Backesdörfer Festival. An annual Somesongs concert has also been held in the church in Willmenrod.
Other local pages: Oberahr, Bilkheim, Heilberscheid, Maxsain, Niederelbert, Dreifelden, Steinebach An Der Wied, Neustadt/Westerwald
