Düren: Paper History, Castles and Cycling Tours
Accommodation in Düren
The 36-metre-high Indemann rises above the Goltsteinkuppe in the municipality of Inden. At just under 150 metres, the hill is the municipality’s highest elevation. The viewing platforms offer views across the landscape of the Inden open-cast mine; you can also walk along the sculpture’s outstretched arm. The Indemann thus combines a striking silhouette with a dedicated viewpoint over the open-cast mining landscape.
Culture and Architectural History
Schloss Burgau in Düren tells the story of change over several decades: it was destroyed in 1944, remained a ruin until 1975, and was restored in 1998. Today, the moated castle is once again considered a jewel of the city. The sequence of destruction, years as a ruin and restoration gives a visit a clear historical context.
The permanent exhibition at the Düren Paper Museum focuses on the many facets of paper. The city’s industrial and cultural history meets traditional and modern paper production. The Leopold-Hoesch-Museum has a different focus: its outstanding collection of paintings from the classical modern period is complemented by collections devoted to post-war modernism and contemporary art. In Düren, the history of materials and the city thus sits alongside paintings from different periods of modern art.
The Paper Museum offers blind and visually impaired visitors an independent introductory tour of the exhibition. Information resources and numerous tactile exhibits complement the tour.
Castles, a Fortress and Industrial Heritage
The Jülich Citadel is an almost completely preserved and restored fortress with a ducal palace in the style of the Italian High Renaissance. It is considered the oldest complex of its kind north of the Alps. 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.
Heimbach is home to an Art Nouveau power station that went into operation in 1905 and still generates electricity today. The building is completely preserved and considered unique in Europe. Here, industrial heritage is evident in more than just the architecture: the facility continues to serve its original purpose.
Nideggen Castle is a cultural monument that tells the story of the Middle Ages in the Rhineland and the Eifel. The Nideggen Castle Museum complements the historic site with an extensive events programme, as well as workshops and guided tours for school groups, families and adults. As the programme includes specific dates, it is a good idea to check the current listings before your visit.
Excursions and Cycle Routes
The Brückenkopf-Park in Jülich offers activities for play and sport, a zoo and numerous cultural events for the whole family. If a particular event date matters for your stay, check the latest dates in advance. The park and the castle museum in Nideggen both appeal to families, but offer different experiences: the park combines play, sport, a zoo and a cultural programme, while the museum offers workshops and guided tours about the castle.
The National Park Gate is located in Heimbach’s old railway station and includes an accessible tourist information centre and the “Forest Secrets” exhibition. The exhibition is temporarily closed; check whether it has reopened before visiting. Also in Heimbach, the two-kilometre, accessible “Art in the Bush” circular walking trail passes sculptures, three-dimensional artworks and installations. This gives visitors a choice between an information centre and a trail featuring outdoor art.
The RurUfer cycle route runs via Monschau to Einruhr, along the Rursee through the Rureifel, past Düren and Jülich, and through the Heinsberg region to Roermond. Railway stations along the route make it possible to plan your route and stages individually; some individual stages can also be enjoyed as day trips. Check current train and bicycle carriage conditions separately, and find out about route conditions before setting off.
For a more manageable distance, try the approximately 20-kilometre Düren Lakes Circuit. It follows the Rur to Düren’s swimming lakes, where you can take a refreshing break. The cycling tours therefore differ above all in how they can be planned: the Lakes Circuit has a clearly defined approximate length, while the railway stations along the RurUfer cycle route help you choose individual stages.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Düren, Nideggen, Heimbach, Hürtgenwald, Inden, Jülich, Linnich, Langerwehe, Aldenhoven, Merzenich, Kreuzau, Niederzier, Nörvenich, Titz, Vettweiß.
See the regional travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.
