Heimbach: National Park Gate, Industrial Heritage and Art
Accommodation in Heimbach
Heimbach offers various starting points for planning a stay: the National Park Gate in the historic railway station building, an Art Nouveau hydroelectric power station that is still in operation, churches with different art-historical features, and a circular trail featuring outdoor art. Which of these themes interests you most can help you decide how to make the most of the town during your hotel stay.
Railway Station, National Park Gate and Ranger Activities
The Heimbach National Park Gate is located in the historic railway station building. You can reach Heimbach railway station from Düren on the RB21; check the timetable before your trip. The “Monastery Route” ranger tour starts at the National Park Gate on Fridays. This means you can also plan your stay around a specific activity: if you want to take the tour, bear Friday in mind when planning your trip.
Industrial Heritage and Churches in Heimbach
The Heimbach Art Nouveau hydroelectric power station is located in the Northern Eifel and began operating in 1905. Its power plant is still in operation. Groups and individuals can arrange guided tours with the RWE visitor service by booking two weeks in advance. If you would like to visit the power station as part of a guided tour, allow for this lead time when planning your trip.
The churches also offer contrasting features. St. Salvator Church dates from 1981 and houses the Pietà of the “Sorrowful Mother” in a large Antwerp carved altarpiece; it is considered a pilgrimage destination. St. Clemens was built in the Baroque style at the beginning of the 18th century. Highlights include the high altar with its two-tiered tabernacle and the richly decorated pulpit. Heimbach therefore offers a pilgrimage site and Baroque church art as distinct options for shaping your stay.
Art in the Woods: Circular Trail and Artworks
The “Art in the Woods” circular trail starts in Heimbach, is two kilometres long and takes 45 minutes. Seven sculptures, works of art and installations from the permanent art project in nature can be seen in the area around Heimbach. The stated duration and length give you a concrete indication of how much time to set aside for this art experience. The works are permanently on view; the trail and the project offer different perspectives on outdoor art.
More Highlights in the Wider DĂĽren Travel Destination
The wider Düren travel destination offers other attractions with their own distinct features. The 36-metre-high Indemann stands on the Goltsteinkuppe, the highest point in the municipality of Inden at just under 150 metres. Its viewing platforms offer views of the Inden open-cast mining landscape; you can also walk along the sculpture’s outstretched arm. Schloss Burgau in the town of Düren was destroyed in 1944, remained a ruin until 1975 and was restored in 1998. Today, it is once again considered a jewel of the town.
In Jülich, you can explore the almost completely preserved and restored citadel, with its ramparts, bastions and casemates, on your own or as part of a guided tour. Check the current opening arrangements before your trip. The permanent exhibition at the Düren Paper Museum is dedicated to the many facets of paper, as well as the town’s history, industrial and cultural history, and traditional and modern paper production. For blind and visually impaired visitors, it offers a self-guided introductory tour, information resources and a wide range of tactile experiences. These destinations in Düren add other themes to your visit to Heimbach without replacing the attractions there.
Plan Activities as Part of Your Trip
The activities also differ in how they can be scheduled: the “Art in the Woods” circular trail takes 45 minutes, the ranger tour runs on Fridays, and a guided tour of the hydroelectric power station must be booked two weeks in advance. If you would like to combine several interests, you can use this information to help plan your stay. Also check the RB21 timetable before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Hergarten, Hausen, Linnich, VettweiĂź, Merzenich, DĂĽren, Aldenhoven, HĂĽrtgenwald.
Back to the wider travel overview: DĂĽren.
