Hunsrück Cathedral in Ravengiersburg

The road from Oppertshausen leads to the town of Ravengiersburg. When you leave the forest, you are abruptly met with a view into Simmerbach Valley and of Hunsrück Cathedral, St. Christopher, which towers quite powerfully over the densely packed houses of the small village. The two five-storey towers of the west part with their lozenge-shaped roofs —originally built as a massive defense system— impress less by their height of 42 meters, than by their square design with a width of 8 meters each, so that with the connecting structure between the two the overall width of the west section is 22 meters. The integrity and compactness of the architecture of Hunsrück Cathedral makes it one of the most important structures of the 12th and 13th Centuries between the Nahe, Mosel and the central Rhine Rivers. The originally Romanesque church was erected around 1160 and must have had a three-nave basilica. It had approximately the same length as today's church and was annexed to the double tower of the west works. Under the choir section a four-nave Romanesque crypt with three apsides from the first half of the 12th Century was found (apsis: a semicircular or polygonal termination in a building with a vaulted half-dome). A disastrous fire, however, destroyed the Romanesque basilica around 1440. The new building was completed in the year 1497, probably a three-nave basilica in the Gothic style, nothing of which remained after its destruction by Swedish troops in 1631. The rebuilding from 1718-1722 was undertaken by Elector Carl Philipp upon the old foundations of the church using the available stone.

A cross with a clothed, Romanesque figure of Christ carved from sandstone is installed under the middle Gothic arch of the south tower. The feet of the crucified figure are not nailed, it is beardless and wears —quite unusually— a King's crown. This type of a clothed, crucified Christ is a feature of the Romanesque period, which dates back to Volto Santo in Lucca, Italy, and of which there are few examples in Germany; the Imervard Crucifix in Brunswick Cathedral is another example, which comes from about the year 1175 (Volto Santo: actually 'holy countenance'; a larger than life, artistically outstanding crucifix of wood, whose popularity during the Middle Ages spread throughout Europe and of which there are replicas in several European countries). The 11-meter-high Baroque high-altar from the year 1722 is covered with a walnut veneer and is, without doubt, a sight to see in this very simple church. It was donated by Elector Carl Philipp, whose coat of arms is mounted above the altar.

The Augustinian Chapter in Ravengiersburg was founded in the year 1074 by Archbishop Siegfried of Mainz for 12 canons when Count Berthold of Ravengiersburg and his lady, Hedwig, who had remained childless, handed over all their possessions to the Mainz archbishop. This was under the condition that the aforementioned cloister would be established. The heyday of the cloister was during the 14 and 15 Centuries and lasted almost 250 years. During this time, the cloister developed into one of the largest ruling estates in the entire region, whose possessions reached from the Nahe to the Mosel Rivers. This gave it considerable influence, not only culturally but also on developments of the power-politics in central Hunsrück. The emergence of cloisters dates back to this time (1487). The high time of the cloisters ended in the turmoil of the Reformation and the Thirty Years War, and from there began a varied and painful history that ended in the year 1631 with the almost complete destruction of the cloisters and their churches. With the Palatinate Church Separation in the year 1706, the ruins of the cloister churches passed into the hands of the Ravengiersburg Parish Church. However, Augustinian monks were there still in charge until Secularization in the year 1803. In the last century, a philosophical-theological college was established for a relatively short period in Ravengiersburg (1920-1979), which resulted in the addition of two new cross wings to the former cloister. Since the closure of the college, the vocational education center for the Catholic labor movement has been transferred to the modern buildings there.

For further information: Wagner W.: Das ehemalige Augustiner-Chorherrenstift Ravengiersburg und die Nunkirche bei Sargenroth. Rheinische Kunststätten Heft 453, Köln 2000

Lonely forests, peaceful creek valleys, and protected moors are the distinguishing features of Idarwald mountain range, a quartzite ridge whose two highest points are An den zwei Steinen (766 m) and Idarkopf (746 m). It is not only the extensive stretches of untouched nature that fascinates visitors and draws them from near and far. The "German Gem Road" from Idar-Oberstein leads through such picturesque places as Herrstein, Schauren, and Allenbach into the heart of the region. Relaxation, enjoyment of nature and the landscape, looking for minerals, and getting enthusiastic about the manufacture and processing of gemstones —all this can be combined here in the most pleasant way. What should also not be overlooked are distinct traces of a very old cultural landscape, whose roots reach far back into prehistoric times, which can be found everywhere. The reconstructed Celtic 'Altburg' fortress near Bundenbach or the 'Belginum' archaeological park near Morbach allow you to experience this era up close. The only castle surrounded by water in Hunsrück is located near Morbach and reminds us of the Trier Archbishop and Elector Balduin von Luxemburg, one of the greatest protagonists of the Middle Ages in Hunsrück.

• Idar-Oberstein
• The Gallic-Roman burial mound near Siesbach
• Allenbach
• Pilgrimage Church Heiligenbösch
• Wildenburg Mountain near Kempfeld
• Schauren
• Stipshausen
• Herrstein
• Rhaunen at the foot of Idarkopf
• On Idarkopf Mountain
• The Reconstructed Celtic 'Altburg' Fortress near Bundenbach
• Morbach with Baldenau Castle and the ancient settlement 'Belginum'
• Ringskopf (650 m) with the Celtic walled grounds

A picture book worth looking at: Uwe Anhäuser, Heimat am Idarwald; VG Rhaunen, 2001
Hiking guides: Wolfgang Bartels, Hunsrück; DuMont Buchverlag, 1996 und Norbert Forsch, Hunsrück; Deutscher Wanderverlag, 2000

The Hochwald with its dense forests surrounding the 818 meter high Erbeskopf (the highest mountain west of the Rhine in Germany) is a fertile source of sagas and heroic tales. Many researchers of local history suspect that here in this pristine area of the Hunsrück plays one of the central scenes of the medieval Nibelungenlied.

In this place, according to the saga, Hagen von Tronje slew the noble hero Siegfried at the behest of Brunhilde. In fact, Drohnecken castle at the foot of Erbeskopf mountain is thought to be a possible family seat of Hagen von Tronje. Hagen's friend Hunold is thought to come from the nearby Hunolstein castle. Moreover, the towns of Worms and Alzey —the most important locations in the Nibelungenlied— are little more than a day ride on horseback from the Hunsrück mountain range.

• Birkenfeld
• The museum at Birkenfeld
• Hermeskeil
• Thalfang and Dhronecken castle
• 'Berger Wacken' and Hunolstein castle
• Wildflowers of the Hunsrück
• Erbeskopf
• The "Hunnenring" on the Dollberg (620 m)
• Züsch at the Primstal reservoir
• The source of the Nahe near Selbach
• Lake of Bostal

A picture book worth looking at: Uwe Anhäuser, Heimat am Idarwald; VG Rhaunen, 2001
Hiking Guides: Wolfgang Bartels, Hunsrück; DuMont Buchverlag, 1996 und Norbert Forsch, Hunsrück; Deutscher Wanderverlag, 2000

The Mosel river with its length of 545km, isn't even half as long as the Rhine. It has its source in the southern Vosges, from where it winds through the area of Trier in order to reach a branch of the Hunsrück.

From there, until it meets the Rhine at Koblenz, it flows through the deeply cut, winding valleys of the Rhenish slate mountains, creating a natural boundary at the north of the Hunsrück. The Mosel valley is an important wine growing area with famous names such as Bernkastel, Traben-Trarbach, Zell and Cochem.

• A little trip along the Mosel from Trier to Koblenz
• Trier
• Trittenheim —birthplace of Johannes Trithemius
• Bernkastel
• Nicolaus von Kues, philosopher of the ending Middle Ages
• Cusanusstift
• Traben-Trarbach
• Zell
• Historic cloister Marienburg
• Cochem
• Koblenz

Guide book: Reinhold Schommers, Mosel; DuMont Buchverlag, 2001

The Rhine has covered two thirds of its 1320 km long trip from the Swiss Alps (canton Graubünden) to the North Sea by the time it meets a branch of the Hunsrück near Bingen. Starting here, it flows through the slate mountains of the middle Rhine region. The traveler passes through a very narrow 300m deep ravine where the Hunsrück is a natural boundary. Then he traverses the fascinating landscape of Hunsrück on his way downstream.

Along this way he sees world famous places such as Bacharach, Kaub, or St. Goar with the overwhelming rock of Loreley. He sees Boppard with its impressive Rhine loop and picturesque Rhens. At Koblenz, at the mouth of the Mosel in the Rhine, he has reached the most northerly point of the branch of the Hunsrück. It isn't far from here and the Rhine widens, with all the narrows left behind. The low plains now determine the flow of the Rhine to the North Sea.

• A little trip from Bingen to Koblenz
• Bingen
• Bacharach
• Pfalzgrafenstein: the Pfalz in the Rhine
• Oberwesel
• St. Goar with Loreley
• Loreley and the 'Romantic Rhine'
• Boppard with the Rhine loop
• Rhens
• Koblenz

Hiking guide: Wolfgang Bartels, Hunsrück; DuMont Buchverlag, 1996 und Norbert Forsch, Hunsrück; Deutscher Wanderverlag, 2000

The region of the Nahe Valley-Hunsrück, the historic Nahegau, is divided into three administrative districts: to the east lies the district of Bad Kreuznach with its administrative seat in the city of Bad Kreuznach, to the north is the district of Rhein-Hunsrück with its administrative seat in Simmern, and to the west is the district of Birkenfeld with its administrative seat in the city of Birkenfeld. To the north there are also the districts of Cochem-Zell and Bernkastel-Wittlich bordering the Mosel river. Although the form these districts have today only dates from the administrative reform of the Rhineland-Pfalz region in 1969/1970, their origins can be found 200 years earlier. First under the French ruler Napoleon and then, after the reconstruction of Europe by the Viennese congress, under the Kingdom of Prussia. In fact, in the year 1798, under French rule (1798-1814), the feudal system with its class privilege, serfdom and drudgery was eliminated, and, to ensure the division of authority, administrative and judicial powers were separated. All religious faiths received equal rights, and in 1804 these rights were implemented by a unified code of law, the Napoleonic civil code (Code civile Napoléon). As a result of an act of the Viennese Congress, the final act of 9 June 1815, the Prussians were awarded the area north of the Nahe. On 14 May 1816, the "royal government" in Koblenz officially announced the newly formed "districts" as administrative units, so this date is considered the official "birthday" of these districts.

• District of Bad Kreuznach
• District of Rhein-Hunsrück (Simmern)
• District of Birkenfeld

It should be mentioned that the historical "Nahegau" only encompassed the eastern part of the District of Birkenfeld. The border ran along the Heimbach, a few kilometers west of Baumholder, along the Nahe up to Siesbach, just before Idar-Oberstein, along the Siesbach almost to the Erbeskopf, and from there over the ridge of the Idar forest to the Idarkopf. A look at the map here also shows that the mouth of the Nahe near Bingen (belonging to the district of Mainz-Bingen) and the northwestern part of Hunsrück (belonging to the districts of Cochem-Zell and Bernkastel-Wittlich) complete the region.

Along with the federal and state duties dictated, the district administration is also responsible for schools, social welfare, youth welfare offices, building development, land utilization, and fire protection. In addition, it deals with waste management as well as the maintenance of local streets. Above and beyond these central administrative tasks, the district also provides for the economic development of the community and region. In this respect, the expression "sustainability", as well as sustainable development, plays a central role, since its professed goal is to ensure the "continuance of a balance in the relationship between nature and its ability to regenerate, on the one hand, with its claims by humans, on the other". Alongside its obligatory duties, the district also takes on so-called "voluntary" duties, depending upon the tax income. Among these are the maintenance of adult evening classes, music schools, museums, theaters, sports fields, and swimming pools.