Würselen: Castle, traditions and green trails

Historic sites and living traditions

Burg Wilhelmstein is located in Bardenberg, high above the Wurm Valley. Count Wilhelm V built it in the 14th century on the ruins of an earlier fortification, which had already been built by the Archbishop of Cologne in 1216. The site was on the former border between the Duchy of Jülich and the Aachen Empire.

The Würselen Jungenspiele celebrations are a distinctive part of local culture, with traditions that have been upheld since at least 1620. They reach their climax each year with the large fair, held three weeks after Pentecost. The Jungenspiele process through the streets; beforehand, there is an acrobatic flag-waving display in front of the parish church of St. Sebastian. Founded before 870 AD, the church is now considered Würselen’s best-known landmark and is affectionately called the “cathedral” by local residents.

The Jungenspielbrunnen fountain near the town hall also reflects these traditions: erected in 1991, the fountain features motifs from the Jungenspiele and was created by Aachen artist Bonifatius Stirnberg. It is a popular attraction and meeting place for people of all ages.

Cultural programme at the castle and in the Old Town Hall

Every summer, Burg Wilhelmstein’s open-air stage hosts a cultural programme. Events include concerts, musicals, comedy, cabaret and open-air cinema in a historic castle setting surrounded by greenery. If a particular performance is a key part of your trip, check the event date in advance. The castle also has a mini-golf course. The Burg Wilhelmstein restaurant serves seasonal cuisine with regional specialities, including salads, meat and fish dishes, and vegetarian creations.

Another cultural venue is the listed Altes Rathaus Cultural Centre at Kaiserstraße 36. The public city library is on the ground floor. The upper floor has five multifunctional rooms, an exhibition area and an event hall with seating for 200. Würselen therefore offers both a historic venue surrounded by greenery and a cultural centre in a listed building, catering to a range of cultural interests.

Green trails and outdoor activities

The town garden, municipal forest and Wurm Valley surround Würselen with green spaces for recreation. They are suitable for hiking, cycling and horse riding. The Wurm Valley nature reserve in Würselen is also intended for leisure activities on foot, by bike or on horseback.

There are four signposted routes in Würselen Municipal Forest, ranging from 1.5 to 5 kilometres. They start at car parks and are suitable for hiking, jogging or enjoying nature. Check the route details before setting out. For a wider view of the trails beyond Würselen: the Wurm Valley and Broichbach Valley span the municipal areas of Würselen, Herzogenrath and Alsdorf. For walks and excursions, they have a well-signposted, accessible junction system, with every trail intersection numbered.

Cycling trips can also be planned beyond the city limits. Würselen is part of the regional cycle route network; thanks to the network across the Aachen Region, cycling tours can easily extend beyond the city limits. The options described vary in scope, from the four signposted forest routes with stated distances to regional cycling tours.

Sauna area at AQUANA

AQUANA in Würselen offers indoor and outdoor sauna areas. The outdoor facilities include a sauna garden with a pond and sun terraces. There is also a pirate ship as an attraction for younger visitors. AQUANA thus complements the city’s historic and nature-focused offerings with a sauna experience.

Discover more destinations: Eschweiler, Stolberg, Hahn, Simmerath, Alsdorf, Rurberg, Herzogenrath, Aachen

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