Discover Erftstadt: Culture, History and Regional Experiences

Distinctive visitor attractions in Erftstadt include the exhibition and processional tradition in Gymnich, as well as Lechenich’s architectural history. If you are looking for hotels in Erftstadt, these interests can help guide your choice of destination. It is also worth looking at the wider Rhein-Erft district destination, whose cultural and natural attractions are explicitly presented here as regional topics.

Gymnich: Exhibition and Procession

The “KM51 – Das Erftmuseum” museum at Gymnich Mill was expanded with an exhibition on the “2021 Flood” from November 10, 2023. The date refers to when the exhibition was added; its title links it to the 2021 flood. This connects the museum’s name with a specifically dated topic in recent history.

Another point of interest in Gymnich is the Gymnich Riding Procession. This procession, well known far beyond the region, passes through Gymnich and around the village’s fields every year on Ascension Day. The difference in timing between these two topics is useful when planning your trip: the exhibition addition is dated to 2023, while the procession takes place annually on Ascension Day.

Lechenich: Town Hall and Houses from Two Centuries

The historic town hall stands on the market square in Lechenich. It was built in 1862 in the Neo-Gothic style, based on plans by cathedral master builder Zwirner of Cologne. Lechenich is also home to numerous manor houses and town houses dating from the early 19th century. These details offer two different perspectives on the district’s architectural history: the group of older houses and the individual town hall, whose date, architect and style are specified. Those interested in architecture can therefore explore both a building type and a specific construction date.

In the Rhein-Erft District: Culture, Nature and Activities

The wider Rhein-Erft district destination offers castles, fortresses, museums and historic mills as attractions. As part of the Cologne Lowland, the district is one of Germany’s regions with the highest concentration of moated castles. One example of the region’s cultural heritage is Augustusburg Palace in Brühl: since 1984, it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Falkenlust Palace and the Brühl Gardens.

Museums in the Rhein-Erft district also cover a range of subjects. The BERGHEIMAT Museum presents the history of Bergheim through audio and interactive stations, as well as a small museum cinema; it features permanent and temporary exhibitions. The KERAMION in Frechen houses collections of modern and historic ceramics. Together, these museums offer contrasting subjects: Bergheim’s history, presented in a variety of ways, and collections of ceramics.

Nature and education in the Rhein-Erft district include the Friesheimer Busch Environmental and Nature Park Center. It is located in the Friesheimer Busch forest in Erftstadt and offers practical and theoretical nature conservation work, as well as education for sustainable development. At the Gymnicher Mühle Nature Park Center, course participants can use professional baking equipment in the teaching bakery and shape their own small baked creations. The Erftaue Landscape Park at the Gymnicher Mühle Nature Park Center can be explored on foot. The offerings span a range of interests: nature conservation and education, a baking course involving hands-on shaping, and a landscape park to explore on a walk.

For outdoor activities, the Rhein-Erft district lists hiking, cycling and water sports. A dedicated Moated Castles Route is available for cyclists. Another regional point of interest is Kasterer See, located right beside the place it is named after, Bedburg-Kaster. The regional selection thus includes both outdoor activities and cultural and museum attractions at named locations.

Discover more destinations: Lechenich, Elsdorf, Brühl, Kerpen, Buir, Frechen, Bedburg, Pulheim.

For the wider travel overview: Rhein-Erft district.