Bengel: Church Art, Local History and Cycling

Bengel combines sacred architecture and local history with opportunities for cycling and hiking. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay here, churches, historic crosses or outdoor activities can shape the focus of your trip. The town extends along both sides of the Alf stream between the Moselle heights and the Eifel mountains.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

Bengel has its own railway stop on the outskirts of town. Check the timetables for your travel dates if you plan to arrive or depart by train. This lets you include train travel in your plans without assuming a particular connection or journey time.

Churches and History in Bengel and Springiersbach

Springiersbach is part of Bengel. Its monastery church is Baroque and features decorative ceiling frescoes; the altars and choir stalls are designed in the Rococo style. The two stylistic terms therefore refer to different elements: the church itself and parts of its furnishings.

The monastery’s history began around 1100 with a monastic foundation by Benigna von Daun. After secularization in 1802, the Bishop of Trier designated the Springiersbach church as Bengel’s parish church. The early foundation and the later ecclesiastical affiliation mark two distinct stages in the area’s history.

Bengel is also home to St. Quirinus Parish Church, a Gothic Revival hall church built in 1901–1902. Its architectural style and date of construction distinguish it from the Baroque monastery church in Springiersbach. Architecture enthusiasts can therefore find different periods and building styles in the area.

Wayside Crosses and Historic Traces

Five wayside crosses dating from the 18th century stand along the roads leading into Bengel. They were probably intended to ward off misfortune, disasters and epidemics. Another wayside cross, locally known as the Plague Cross, stands at the turnoff towards Springiersbach; its shape suggests that it dates to around 1660. The historical interpretation and presumed protective purpose of these crosses should be considered separately: the intention is described as probable, while the shape of the Plague Cross provides an approximate clue to its date.

At the edge of the Kondelwald forest, the Jacobs Cross commemorates Philipp Jacobs, who died as a soldier in Zanzibar in 1890. The monument thus records a specific life story. Unlike the crosses with their presumed protective purpose, this one focuses on commemorating a person known by name.

The Springiersbach oil mill is part of the area’s industrial history. It was built in 1856 and is one of the few surviving oil mills in Rhineland-Palatinate. The monastery shop stocks regional Alftal honey and monastery products, including wine, beer, liqueurs, spices, vinegar, oil, syrups and jams. The selection may vary seasonally.

Cycling and Nature Watching

The 2,500-hectare Kondelwald forest lies between Bengel and Bad Bertrich and offers opportunities for hiking and nature watching. A local cycling route runs from Bengel through the Alftal valley to Wittlich. It is rated easy, is 32.3 kilometres long, and has 186 metres of ascent and 221 metres of descent. The route can be used year-round. This provides a choice between a cycling route with a set destination and the larger forest area for hiking and nature watching.

Programme in Springiersbach

The Karmel Springiersbach retreat house offers a varied programme and can be booked for events. Check availability of the programme directly. This will help you plan whether to focus your stay mainly on local history and landscapes, or whether a particular programme or event is important to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Kövenig, Kinderbeuern, Kinheim, Hontheim, Willwerscheid.

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