Discover Lonnig

Lonnig combines a long history of settlement with a building that continues to shape the town today: the church of the former collegiate foundation. Roman roots and the surviving choir structure represent different historical periods. This brings early settlement and a surviving example of medieval architectural history into focus. When choosing somewhere to stay, Lonnig therefore offers more than a single historical point of interest.

Roman Past

Lonnig’s history dates back to Roman settlement. A Roman villa, meaning an agricultural estate, is considered its origin. Building remains have been discovered on several occasions. Here, the term villa describes the agricultural estate and thus the origins of the settlement; the building remains discovered repeatedly add physical evidence of this early chapter in the town’s history.

This gives Lonnig’s Roman past a tangible connection to the town’s development. Settlement and agriculture belong together in this early chapter. This starting point in time is clearly distinct from the later history of the former collegiate foundation and its church. Those interested in history will find two different ways to explore Lonnig: its Roman settlement and a surviving medieval church building.

The Former Collegiate Church

The church of the former Lonnig collegiate foundation continues to shape the townscape today. Its architectural history includes a choir structure that was built in the first two decades of the 13th century and has survived to this day. Its date of construction provides a clear historical reference point in the early 13th century.

The church and choir structure each tell of Lonnig’s past in a different way: the church shapes the townscape, while the surviving choir illustrates a specific phase of construction. Together with the history of Roman settlement, they span a broad period of time—from the town’s early roots to a significant example of its medieval history.

Another Feature of the Town’s Profile

Lonnig is also known as a “Horse-Friendly Municipality.” This description adds another facet to the town’s profile alongside its historical themes. The destination is therefore defined both by its history and by this municipal designation.

Cultural History in the Wider Mayen-Koblenz Destination

The wider Mayen-Koblenz destination offers other distinct cultural themes. Genovevaburg Castle was built in 1280 by Heinrich von Finstingen, Archbishop of Trier, and is one of Mayen’s landmarks. It represents a different historical focus from Lonnig’s collegiate church: here, the focus is on a castle, while in Lonnig it is the church of a former collegiate foundation.

Sayn Abbey takes visitors back to another period: it was founded around 1200, and its abbey church was consecrated in 1202. The abbey’s exterior paintings, dating to around 1255, are considered the best-preserved examples of their kind from the High Middle Ages in Germany. Sayner Hütte is another prominent cultural site in the wider destination. As an anchor point on the European Route of Industrial Heritage, it is the only monument in Rhineland-Palatinate to receive this distinction. Following restoration work, modern exhibitions and multimedia presentations invite visitors to explore the site; guided tours and creative workshops are also offered.

The regional examples therefore range from castle and church history to industrial heritage. Lonnig itself has its own historical focus in its Roman settlement history, the church that shapes the townscape, and the surviving choir structure. This distinction helps you consider the town and the themes of the wider destination separately.

Discover more destinations: Mayen, Herresbach, Volkesfeld, Waldesch, Koblenz, Lasserg, Rhens, Alken

View the wider travel overview: Mayen-Koblenz.