Sankt Augustin: History and Nature

Sankt Augustin offers plenty to explore for visitors interested in architectural and local history, as well as paths, forests and the Sieg floodplain. Places mentioned include Niederpleis, Menden, Meindorf, Hangelar and Buisdorf. If you are looking for a hotel, you can plan your trip around the places and themes that matter most during your stay.

Cultural history between Niederpleis and Menden

The parish church of St. Martinus in Niederpleis is the oldest building in Sankt Augustin. The tower’s two lower stories date from the mid-12th century and are built of rubble stone. In the south transept stands a cylindrical 12th-century baptismal font made of trachyte. The church thus brings together various details from medieval architectural and art history.

The Niederpleis Mill is also one of the town’s distinctive historic sites: it is the only mill complex still preserved within the town limits. Its milling machinery was extensively restored in 1998/99 and remains operational today. Alongside ecclesiastical architecture, visitors can also explore the history of technical installations here.

Niederpleis Castle was one of two medieval knightly residences in what is now the town, the other being Menden Castle. The present building of Niederpleis Castle was built around 1870 and retains its original structure, except for the former east wing, which was demolished in 1972 to make way for an animal hall. In Menden, Menden Castle is a former manor house. The first castle there was built around 1100 as the seat of the “von Menden” knightly family. These dates therefore refer to different building phases and locations. In Meindorf, the Chapel of St. Mary, Queen of the Rosary, completed in 1912, is considered a kind of landmark.

Forests, the Sieg floodplain and the Green C

Cyclists and hikers can choose from several different landscapes. The “Green C” is a cycling and hiking route, or network of paths, stretching from Bornheim to Sankt Augustin. In Niederpleis, the Regional Meadow and Pasture Centre is located on the Green C cycling and hiking route. The centre hosts lectures, seminars and conferences.

Dambroich Forest lies on the border of Sankt Augustin and is well served by bridleways and hiking trails. Niederpleis Forest has an extensive network of paths and is used mainly for recreation close to residential areas. The forests therefore differ in their stated uses: bridleways and hiking trails are mentioned for Dambroich Forest, while recreation close to residential areas is the main focus at Niederpleis Forest.

The Sieg floodplain in the Buisdorf district is a great place to set out on cycling trips and hikes into the surrounding area. At the Buisdorf Sieg weir, salmon returning in autumn leap spectacularly over the weir and continue upstream. Rare bird species can also be found in the Sieg floodplain in Sankt Augustin. Near Meindorf, large areas of the Sieg floodplain used for agriculture are protected as landscape or nature conservation areas and are home to valuable flora and fauna.

Hangelar Airfield is located in the middle of the Hangelarer Heide nature reserve. Remarkable sandy nutrient-poor grassland communities can be found in and around the Bonn/Hangelar airfield grounds. In the Hangelarer Heide area, four nature information boards describe a municipal orchard meadow, a hedgerow, the heath’s grassland area, and a newly created habitat for the natterjack toad near the outdoor swimming pool. As the condition of the boards may change, it is best to check before your visit.

Connections in the districts

Several transport links are useful for getting around. Menden station connects to regional services. Stadtbahn line 66 has three stops in the Hangelar district and connects it with Cologne and Bonn. All Stadtbahn stops on the line have secure bicycle stands and bicycle lockers. Nearby Siegburg/Bonn station is connected via line 66.

Depending on your destination, you can take regional services from Menden station or use the Stadtbahn connection in Hangelar. If you plan to visit several districts, check the current timetables for your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Bornheim, Bad Honnef on the Rhine, Hennef, Alfter, Niederkassel, Windeck, Wachtberg, Troisdorf.

For the regional travel overview: Rhein-Sieg District.