The ruins of the old St. Lawrence’s Church and the water tower tell of different chapters in Merzenich’s history. At the church, you can trace how its architectural form changed over time; the water tower combines its former use as a mill with its later role as a landmark. Artworks from various centuries add further historical highlights.

St. Lawrence’s Church: from basilica to ruins

The first St. Lawrence’s Church in Merzenich was a Romanesque basilica. In the 14th and 15th centuries, it was converted into a three-aisled hall church with a choir closed off on three sides. Its building history therefore encompasses more than one form: the Romanesque origins were followed by a fundamental transformation of the church interior. The old St. Lawrence’s Church survives as a ruin after demolition work that had begun was halted. Its history thus includes both its reconstruction and its preservation as a ruin.

The furnishings of the old church included a small carved altar from a Brussels workshop, dating from the early 16th century. Its shrine depicts a densely populated Calvary with scenes from the Passion. Another art-historical reference is the High Gothic crucifix, dating from around 1260 to 1270, which is part of the furnishings of the St. Lawrence’s churches in Merzenich. The two dates mark different periods: the crucifix dates from the 13th century, while the carved altar is from the early 16th century. Together, they illustrate the long span of local church art.

The water tower as a landmark

The water tower also shows how the use of a building can change. It was built in 1608 as a mill tower and converted into a water tower in 1912. These two dates mark different functions of the same tower; today, it is Merzenich’s landmark. For anyone interested in local history, it offers another striking topic alongside the church’s architectural history: the repurposing of a historic building.

In the wider destination of Düren: culture and landscape

Beyond Merzenich, the wider destination of Düren offers further, distinct themes. In Düren, Schloss Burgau was destroyed in 1944 and remained a ruin until 1975. It was restored in 1998 and is once again considered a jewel of the city. In Jülich, the almost completely preserved and restored citadel offers a different perspective on architectural history: it includes ramparts, bastions and casemates, as well as a ducal palace in the style of the Italian High Renaissance. The citadel is considered the oldest complex of its kind north of the Alps. You can explore it independently or as part of a guided tour; check the current opening arrangements before planning your visit.

Industrial history is also part of the wider destination of Düren. The Art Nouveau Heimbach power station was commissioned in 1905, is completely preserved and is still used to generate electricity today. It is considered a unique Art Nouveau building in Europe. In Düren, the Paper Museum’s permanent exhibition explores the many facets of paper, as well as the city’s, industrial and cultural history and traditional and modern papermaking. Blind and visually impaired visitors can take a self-guided basic tour; information services and numerous tactile activities are also available. The Leopold Hoesch Museum offers another focus, with paintings from classical modernism and post-war modernism, as well as contemporary art.

There are also various ways to connect with the landscape and enjoy outdoor activities. The 36-metre-high Indemann stands on the Goltsteinkuppe, the highest point in the municipality of Inden at just under 150 metres. The viewing platforms offer views over the landscape of the Inden open-cast mine; you can also walk along the sculpture’s outstretched arm. The Düren Lakes Loop, around 20 kilometres long, follows the Rur to Düren’s bathing lakes. The RurUfer cycle route runs via Monschau to Einruhr, along the Rursee through the Rureifel, past Düren and Jülich, and onward through the Heinsberg region to Roermond. Check current route conditions before setting out on a cycling trip. Train stations along the RurUfer cycle route make it possible to plan your own route and stages; some individual stages can therefore also be enjoyed as day trips. Check current train and bicycle transport conditions separately.

Tailor your search to the things that really matter for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Jülich, Nörvenich, Inden, Hürtgenwald, Heimbach, Kreuzau, Nideggen, Vettweiß.

Back to the wider travel overview: Düren.