Sessenbach: Starry Skies, Local History and Trails

When planning your trip to Sessenbach, local history, stargazing and trails take center stage. Historical traces range from archaeological finds to events of the 20th century; the Planetarium & Sessenbach Observatory offers a unique view of the starry sky, while routes open up different landscapes. If you are looking for a hotel in Sessenbach, you can use these highlights to decide which interests to focus on during your stay.

History: from early traces to St. Mary’s Church

Hand axes, quern stones and a bronze axe point to early settlement in the area of present-day Sessenbach. Celtic urns found during pumice mining in Sessenbach have been dated to around 1200 BC. A Celtic settlement was identified based on finds registered in 1936; it is dated to before 500 BC. The urn finds and the settlement date thus represent two different periods of Celtic history.

Sessenbach was first mentioned in a document in 1220. The document was issued at Sayn Abbey. Copper and ore were later mined in Sessenbach during the 18th and 19th centuries. Another chapter in the area’s history is St. Mary’s Church: it was built in 1948 after the Second World War through the residents’ own labor and donations.

Stargazing at the planetarium

At the Planetarium & Sessenbach Observatory, visitors can watch the stars move across the sky. In the planetarium, the night sky can be set for any time and any place on Earth and shown alongside mythological figures. This brings together the observation of stars and a depiction of the sky that can be changed by time and location. The planetarium is also a point of interest on the Bäche Tour. If you are planning a visit, check the visitor arrangements in advance.

Routes and landscapes

The Kannenbäckerland Route reaches Sessenbach after passing through Nassau Nature Park. The RB4 offers a different landscape: from Sessenbach, it runs through Wirscheider Floßwald and Teufelsburgwald forests, then crosses fields and meadows between Wirscheid and Nauort. The RB4 circular hike passes through quiet forests and offers viewpoints. When planning, you can decide whether to follow the route through the nature park to Sessenbach or focus on the forest, field and meadow stretches of the RB4.

Check current route conditions before setting out.

The Westerwald: a regional perspective

For broader trip planning, the Westerwald offers a distinct setting as a larger travel destination. The WesterwaldSteig is a 235-kilometer long-distance hiking trail with 16 stages. The Druidensteig covers 94 kilometers in seven day stages, runs through seven river valleys and features more than 30 geo-information points.

The Westerwald is also a place to explore the history of the Earth: the TERTIÄRUM at Stöffel Park displays fossils, including the famous “Stöffel Mouse,” documenting around 25 million years of Earth’s history. Stöffel Park is a former basalt quarry site covering around 140 hectares in the Westerwald, combining industrial heritage, Earth’s history and nature.

Discover more destinations: Kaden, Meudt, Pottum, Niedererbach, Guckheim, Liebenscheid, Willmenrod, Nordhofen.

For the main travel overview: Westerwald.