Discover Ober Kostenz

Ober Kostenz combines a long history with restored half-timbered houses and hiking options in the surrounding area. This offers different ways to plan your trip: historical traces in the village, routes through the countryside and recurring events.

History and archaeological traces

The first written mention of Ober Kostenz appears in a register of the estates of St. Maximin Abbey in Trier dating from 1220. Traces of early Roman settlement date back further. A large prehistoric burial ground near today's county road 10 toward the Hunsrückhöhenstraße was excavated in 1939 and 1949; further burials came to light there in those years.

The Protestant church also offers insight into different building and furnishing histories. It is dated to 1745; the nave was built in 1745–1746. The church tower was renovated in 1700. The wooden furnishings inside the church were renovated in 1890, and the church houses a Stumm organ dating from 1891.

Numerous carefully restored half-timbered houses shape the character of the village. A historic distinction followed in 1993: Ober Kostenz was named the most beautiful municipality in the Koblenz administrative district. The year places this recognition in context; it is an award from 1993.

Hiking, cycling and countryside

Ober Kostenz is surrounded by meadows and forests. The surrounding area is suitable for hiking and cycling. Two routes of different lengths are among the hiking options associated with Ober Kostenz: the Hunsrückhöhenweg is a long-distance trail of around 170 kilometres between Boppard and Bernkastel-Kues. The signposted Mosel-Nahe hiking trail runs for 60.8 kilometres between Zell, Kirchberg and Martinstein. Comparing the distances, the Hunsrückhöhenweg is around 110 kilometres longer than the Mosel-Nahe hiking trail. The wider Rhein-Hunsrück travel destination encompasses large areas of the Hunsrück, part of the Rhenish Slate Mountains, as well as the Upper Middle Rhine Valley on the left bank of the Rhine. The district also includes large parts of the Hunsrück plateau and the quartzite ridges to the south, such as the Soonwald.

Recurring events

The annual Bier-Backes-Schlemmertour passes through Ober Kostenz, Nieder Kostenz, Schwarzen and Metzenhausen. Local specialities are served fresh from the Backes oven or from the grill during the tour. The event thus combines a hike through four villages with regional food. The event date and specific dishes may vary from year to year, so check the current date before your trip.

Another recurring event is the annual Lichterhaus display in Ober Kostenz, which attracts visitors from near and far. The timing and presentation may vary from year to year. If you would like to include the display in your travel plans, check the current dates and presentation in advance.

Discover more destinations: Damscheid, Leiningen, Unzenberg, Woppenroth, Kirchberg, Heyweiler, Uhler, Laudert.

View the broader travel overview: Rhein-Hunsrück.